Columbus arrives on an island he names Hispaniola, or "little Spain." He finds the island inhabited by more than 250,000 Taíno Indians, who impress Columbus with their very organized and advanced society. The Taínos at first welcome Columbus and his followers, but later rebel when Columbus and his men try to exploit the Indians for resources and labor. The indigenous Taínos eventually die out completely because of European-introduced diseases and exploitation by the Spainsh.

Bartholomew Columbus, brother of Christopher, founds the first European settlement in the new world at Santo Domingo.

The first African slaves are introduced to the island to replace the diminishing numbers of Taínos as a source of labor. Today it is estimated that more than 70 percent of the Dominican Republic's population is racially mixed.

Treaty of Ryswick is signed, officially granting the western, French-inhabited, part of the island to France. This territory became known as Saint-Domingue (and later Haiti), while the Spanish-inhabited eastern part of the island was known as Santo Domingo (later the Dominican Republic).

The French invest heavily in their colony of Saint-Domingue, and the colony flourishes, becoming the largest producer of sugar in the world and the focal point of France's colonial empire. On the eastern portion of the island in Santo Domingo, the economy is much weaker and oriented around livestock.

Spain cedes control of Santo Domingo to the French.

The former slaves in Saint-Domingue, led by Toussaint L'Overture, defeat the French and oust them from the island, creating the independent nation of Haiti. Santo Domingo remains under the control of Haiti until 1809, when Spanish rule is restored in the eastern half of the island.

The population of Santo Domingo revolts against the oppressive Spanish administration, and declares independence.

Jean Pierre Boyer, president of Haiti, invades Santo Domingo, taking it for Haiti. Boyer unites the entire island under Haitian control. In his first public act, Boyer makes slavery illegal in Santo Domingo.

Santo Domingo wins its independence from Haiti, and becomes the independent nation of the Dominican Republic.

The U.S. Marines invade the Dominican Republic in attempt to protect the U.S.'s political and economic interests. When the Marines leave the Dominican Republic, they leave a lasting legacy: a great love for baseball. Today, Dominicans like Sammy Sosa and Pedro Martinez are recognized as some of Major League Baseball's finest players.

Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina, known as "Trujillo," becomes president of the Dominican Republic. Trujillo takes control of the military in the years previous to his "election," eliminates all opposition, and creates his Dominican Party, the only official political party that would exist for many years. Trujillo serves as an extremely harsh and violent dictator for the next 31 years, controlling virtually every aspect of public life.

Trujillo is killed by an unknown group of assassins. Many historians believe that the United States was involved in his murder. A large wave of Dominicans begin to emigrate to the United States. Most settle in New York, in the city's Washington Heights area.

Dominicans elect Juan Bosch as president in their first free election since the pre-Trujillo era. After Bosch is overthrown in 1963, a rebel group forms within the army in 1965 and attempts a coup to restore him to power. A few days later, the U.S. Marines invade the Dominican Republic again. One month later, an international military force is established to keep the peace. Two months later, the Marines withdraw from the country.

Relatively peaceful elections are restored, and Joaquín Balaguer is elected president.