Christopher Columbus established the settlement, La Navidad, near the modern town of Cap-Haïtien. It was built from the timbers of his wrecked ship, the Santa María, during his first voyage in December 1492.

When Christopher Columbus returned in 1493 on his second voyage, he found the settlement, La Navidad, had been destroyed and all 39 settlers killed.

The Spanish returned to western Hispaniola in 1502, establishing a settlement at Yaguana, near modern-day Léogâne.

A second settlement was established on the north coast in 1504 called Puerto Real, near modern Fort-Liberté.

In 1595, the Spanish closed their home ports to rebel shipping from the Netherlands, leading to large-scale and illegal trade with the Dutch on the island of Hispaniola.

After decades of fighting, the Spanish ceded the western part of the island to the French in 1697, leading to the establishment of Saint-Domingue.

In 1711, the city of Cap-Français was formally established by Louis XIV and took over as the capital of the colony from Port-de-Paix.

The city of Port-au-Prince was established on the west coast in 1749, which later became the capital of the colony.

Vincent Ogé, along with Jean-Baptiste Chavennes, attempted to incite the gens de couleur to revolt in Saint-Domingue after their demands for full civil and political rights were refused. Their attack was defeated by a force of white militia and black volunteers, and they were later captured, returned to the French authorities, and executed in February 1791.

A vodou ceremony at Bois Caïman near Cap-Français, presided over by a houngan named Dutty Boukman, is traditionally considered to mark the beginning of the Haitian Revolution. Following this ceremony, slaves in the northern region of the colony staged a revolt, leading to the rapid spread of the rebellion throughout the entire colony.

Sonthonax proclaimed the freedom of the slaves in the north province of Saint-Domingue, with severe limits on their freedom. Emancipation was later extended throughout the entire colony in September and October 1793.

In 1799, Toussaint launched an offensive against Rigaud's strongholds in the south of Hispaniola, leading to the overwhelming defeat of Rigaud's forces in 1800.

Former slave Toussaint Louverture leads a successful revolt and abolishes slavery in Haiti.

In 1803, war resumed between France and Britain, leading to the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, through which France sold its North American possessions to the United States.

On 1 January 1804, Dessalines proclaimed Haiti an independent nation.

Haiti declared independence from France on January 1, 1804, becoming the first independent nation in Latin America.

On 22 February 1804, Dessalines signed a decree ordering that all whites in all cities should be put to death using silent weapons such as knives and bayonets.

On 22 September 1804, Dessalines proclaimed himself Emperor Jacques I.

Emperor Jacques I was ambushed and assassinated on 17 October 1806 en route to battle rebels to his regime.

The remaining French forces were defeated by Spanish-creole insurrectionists in the Palo Hincado battle, marking a significant event in the uprising against new powers in the eastern part of the island.

On 9 July 1809, the Spanish colony Santo Domingo was born, putting itself under the control of Spain and earning the nickname of 'España Boba' (meaning 'The Idiot Spain').

Henri Christophe proclaimed himself King Henri I of the Kingdom of Haiti in 1811, establishing a nobility class and commissioning extraordinary buildings in the North.

Boyer reunited Haiti through diplomatic tactics after Henri Christophe's regime, ruling as president until his overthrow in 1843.

Haiti invaded Santo Domingo and declared the island free from European powers, accomplishing the unity of the island for a short period of time.

In 1825, the French demanded an indemnity of 150 million francs from Haiti in exchange for diplomatic recognition, leading to economic struggles for the new nation.

Boyer attempted to enforce production through the Code Rural, but faced resistance from peasant freeholders, leading to a decline in sugar exports from Haiti.

The 1842 Cap-Haïtien earthquake destroyed the city and the Sans-Souci Palace, resulting in the death of 10,000 people, marking a significant natural disaster in the region.

A revolt led by Charles Rivière-Hérard overthrew Boyer and established a brief parliamentary rule under the Constitution of 1843, leading to a period of political instability in Haiti.

In 1847, major works of history were published in Haiti, contributing to the development of Haitian intellectual culture.

President Faustin Soulouque proclaimed himself Emperor Faustin I in 1849, succeeding in uniting Haiti for a time before being deposed in 1859.

In 1860, General Fabre Geffrard reached an agreement with the Vatican, reintroducing official Roman Catholic institutions, including schools, to Haiti.

In 1865, major works of history were published in Haiti, further enriching the Haitian intellectual culture.

The Constitution of 1867 brought about peaceful and progressive transitions in the Haitian government, leading to improved economy, stability, and restoration of faith in legal institutions.

The debt to France was finally repaid in 1879, marking a significant milestone in Haiti's financial history.

In 1911, revolution broke out in Haiti, leading to disorder and debt, marking the end of a period of relative stability and prosperity.

United States invades Haiti in 1915, withdrawing in 1943 but keeping financial control and political influence.

In 1919, a new caco uprising led by Charlemagne Péralte began, with the goal of driving the invaders out of Haiti. The Cacos attacked Port-au-Prince in October but were repelled with heavy casualties.

Benoît Batraville, who took over the leadership of the rebellion after Charlemagne Péralte's death, launched an assault on the capital. His death in 1920 marked the end of hostilities.

During Senate hearings in 1921, conflicting reports were made about the number of Haitians killed during the twenty months of active resistance, with estimates ranging from 2,250 to 3,250. Haitian historians suggested the true number might have been much higher, reaching around 15,000 persons.

In 1922, Dartiguenave was replaced by Louis Borno, who ruled without a legislature until 1930.

In December 1929, Marines in Les Cayes killed ten Haitians during a march to protest local economic conditions, leading to the appointment of commissions to address the situation.

In 1930, Sténio Vincent, a long-time critic of the occupation, was elected president, and the US began to withdraw its forces.

In 1935, President Vincent forced through the legislature a new constitution, granting the executive sweeping powers and the ability to rule by decree when the legislature was not in session. Despite implementing some infrastructure improvements, Vincent brutally repressed his opposition and governed largely for his own benefit.

In October 1937, the Dominican army, under the orders of dictator Rafael Trujillo, carried out the indiscriminate butchery of an estimated 14,000 to 40,000 Haitians on the Dominican side of the Massacre River. This event was part of Trujillo's efforts to expand his influence over all of Hispaniola.

In 1941, President Vincent accommodated the opposition from the United States and handed power over to Elie Lescot, who became the next president of Haiti.

Elie Lescot, while serving as Haitian ambassador to the Dominican Republic, fell under the influence and wealth of Rafael Trujillo. Trujillo's money reportedly bought most of the legislative votes that brought Lescot to power. Their association persisted until 1943, when the two leaders parted ways for unknown reasons.

On January 11, 1946, Elie Lescot resigned from the presidency of Haiti after his position became untenable due to student strikes, protests, and alienation of the predominantly black Garde. The Garde assumed power through a three-member junta.

On 16 August 1946, the National Assembly of Haiti selected Dumarsais Estimé as the president after two rounds of polling.

Haiti's 19th Century 'independence debt' to France, demanded as compensation for former slave owners, was not paid off until 1947.

A coup in May 1950 led to the resignation of President Estimé, who had hastened his own demise through various actions including nationalization of a banana concession, alienating workers, and attempting to manipulate the constitution to extend his term in office.

Haiti announced its first direct elections, allowing all men twenty-one or over to vote. Colonel Magloire resigned from the junta and declared himself a candidate for president. He won the election and assumed office on 6 December 1950.

Hurricane Hazel makes landfall in Haiti in October 1954, causing the death of 1,000 people and extensive destruction to coffee and cocoa crops during the harvest season.

In May 1956, politicians, labor leaders, and their followers protested President Magloire's failure to step down. This led to a general strike that essentially shut down Port-au-Prince. Magloire declared martial law, and eventually fled to Jamaica, leaving the army with the task of restoring order.

Following two failed elections in 1957, physician François “Papa Doc” Duvalier seizes power in Haiti, establishing a despotic rule and employing death squads to silence his opponents.

The Kennedy administration suspended aid to Haiti in 1961 after allegations that Duvalier had misused aid money and planned to use a Marine Corps mission to strengthen the Macoutes.

In 1963, Duvalier clashed with Dominican President Juan Bosch after Bosch provided aid and asylum to Haitian exiles working to overthrow his regime.

In 1964, Duvalier declares himself president for life, marking his dictatorship with repression enforced by the feared Tonton Macoutes secret police.

Paul Déjean, a community leader, secular priest, anti-racism activist, and political writer, was expelled from Haiti by the government of dictator François Duvalier. He later settled in Montreal and became one of the great leaders of the entire Haitian diaspora.

In 1971, Duvalier dies and is succeeded by his son, Jean-Claude, or 'Baby Doc', leading to increased repression and the exodus of thousands of Haitian 'boat people' fleeing to Florida.

In 1986, a popular revolt forces Baby Doc to flee Haiti to exile in France, leading to Lieutenant-General Henri Namphy taking over.

In 1987, troops massacred 30–300 voters on election day, leading to the cancellation of the November elections.

In 1988, General Prosper Avril takes over from Namphy in a coup in Haiti.

In 1990, former parish priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a left-wing champion of the poor, wins Haiti’s first free election, but is removed in a coup in 1991.

A military coup in Haiti led to the overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, resulting in a large-scale exodus of refugees to the United States and accusations of U.S. involvement.

The ferry Neptune sank, resulting in the drowning of approximately 700 passengers, marking the worst ferry disaster in Haitian history.

On September 18, 1994, a general in Haiti cedes power, marking a significant event in the political landscape of the country.

U.S. troops prepared to enter Haiti by force for Operation Uphold Democracy, leading to the return of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the restoration of constitutional rule.

After a tense stand-off with the Clinton administration, Haiti's military government, led by General Raoul Cedras, agrees to cede power. This decision comes after over a year of efforts by the administration and the United Nations to restore the democratically elected president of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who was overthrown in a coup in 1991.

The Haitian general election saw Aristide's coalition, the Lavalas Political Organization, gain a sweeping victory, leading to the election of René Préval as president.

Jean-Bertrand Aristide broke with Préval and formed a new political party, the Lavalas Family, leading to a political deadlock and ruling by decree.

In 1999, Jean-Bertrand Aristide was re-elected as president for a second term amid disputed election results, leading to political tensions and challenges to his legitimacy.

The election drew controversy over the calculation of Senate candidates' majority, leading to disputes and boycotts by opposition parties.

Aristide was re-elected as president amidst opposition boycotts and international observers' concerns, leading to aid cuts to Haiti.

On 29 February 2004, with rebel contingents marching towards Port-au-Prince, Aristide departed from Haiti amidst controversy over whether he resigned or was essentially kidnapped by the U.S.

On 1 June 2004, the peacekeeping mission in Haiti was passed to MINUSTAH, comprising a 7,000 strength force led by Brazil and backed by other countries.

In July 2005, peacekeeping forces were accused of conducting a massacre against the residents of Cité Soleil, amidst ongoing violence and clashes in Haiti.

In February 2006, René Préval won the legislative and executive elections in Haiti, taking office in May 2006 amidst the ongoing controversy and violence.

In the spring of 2008, Haitians demonstrated against rising food prices, leading to road blockades and the closure of the airport at Port-au-Prince. Fanmi Lavalas continued protests and demonstrations in 2009.

The Open Society Foundations donate $5 million to support life-saving work in Haiti after the devastating earthquake, later partnering with the WIN Group to develop a $45 million industrial park for job creation. They have also invested significantly in education and economic revitalization projects in Port-au-Prince since 1995.

An earthquake in 2010 killed more than 200,000 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and the economy in Haiti.

A devastating earthquake struck Haiti, causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

Michel Martelly won the second round of the election against candidate Mirlande Manigat. His administration was met with both anger and acclaim, with various criticisms and achievements.

Hurricane Matthew makes landfall in Haiti, causing widespread destruction to crops, exacerbating the cholera epidemic, leaving many families homeless, and causing damage to the country's infrastructure.

Jovenel Moïse was inaugurated as president following an election that has been described as an 'electoral coup d'etat.' His presidency has been marked by controversies and protests.

Protests demanding the resignation of Jovenel Moïse began, fueled by significant corruption revelations and dissatisfaction with his leadership.

On January 15, 2019, Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc. featured a news article about the individuals involved in the rebuilding efforts in Haiti, showcasing the ongoing work and resilience of the Haitian community.

Haiti experienced a tumultuous summer in 2021, marked by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake. These events brought the country back into the spotlight of American newspapers.

A strong 7.2 earthquake occurred in Haiti, resulting in a significant death toll and tsunami warnings on the Haitian Coast.

In December 2021, Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc. published an article explaining the effectiveness of cash transfers in combating poverty and challenging stereotypes, highlighting their innovative approach to addressing socio-economic issues in Haiti.

On March 1, Henry signed an agreement with Kenya to deploy 1,000 police officers to the Caribbean nation in order to combat gang violence. The deployment was delayed due to a court ruling that deemed it unconstitutional.

Gangs in Haiti storm two of the country’s biggest prisons, freeing over 4,000 inmates, leading to overwhelmed security forces and an urgent appeal for help from the police.

Haiti’s government declares a state of emergency and imposes a nighttime curfew in an attempt to control the surge of violence.

Heavily armed gangs attempt to seize control of Haiti’s main international airport, leading to the shutdown of flights and fueling chaos as Prime Minister Ariel Henry remains out of the country.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry's charter flight to the Dominican Republic is diverted to Puerto Rico after gang leader Chérizier effectively declares war on him.

Haitian politicians begin to form alliances and vie for power as Prime Minister Ariel Henry faces increasing pressures to resign.

Massive clashes between two rival gangs erupted in Cite Soleil, leading to the deaths of dozens of residents and leaving thousands of families trapped in their homes without access to food or water. The violence had a devastating impact on the region's economy due to the location of an oil terminal in Cite Soleil.

Prime Minister Henry and his cabinet requested the deployment of foreign troops to counter the gangs and anti-government demonstrations in Port-au-Prince.

The United States and Canada sent armored vehicles and military equipment to support the Haitian government in response to the request for foreign troop deployment.

On October 25, 2022, Concern Worldwide U.S., Inc. issued a press release about their response to the cholera outbreak in Haiti, demonstrating their active involvement in addressing public health crises in the country.

On 21 December 2022, Prime Minister Ariel Henry along with representatives signed an agreement to hold general elections in 2023, with the new government taking office in February 2024.

There is instability in Haiti.

On February 29, 2024, Haitian gangs carry out coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, killing at least four police officers. The attacks are claimed by powerful gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue, who aims to capture police and government officials and block the return of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Gangs attacked two prisons in Haiti, including the largest penitentiary, allowing prisoners to escape. This was part of a series of attacks carried out by the gangs while Prime Minister Henry was away finalizing an agreement with Kenya to send police officers to restore order in Haiti.

Armed gangs attacked the heavily fortified Toussaint Louverture International Airport, engaging in gunfire with the police and the Haitian Armed Forces in an attempt to take control of the facility, fueling speculation about a potential alliance between rival gangs to overthrow the Haitian elite.

Haiti is once again facing a wave of chaos fueled by ongoing gang wars, which have spiraled since the 2021 assassination of the country’s president. Gang leaders have grown increasingly violent and empowered, taking advantage of power vacuums in the Caribbean nation to grow in strength.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation, stating that he would step down once a transitional presidential council is established.

Haiti is facing a situation where it needs to liberate itself once more.

Panelists discuss the economic and political crisis in Haiti, focusing on the humanitarian impact and destabilization of the region. They explore policy options to stabilize the nation and help the Haitian people.