Nicaragua
History Timeline - Nicaragua
Travel through our timeline of major events in Nicaragua's history.
500:
People settle in the region.
1522:
Gil Gonzalez Davila, a Spanish explorer, names Nicaragua for Nicarao, a local chief.
1524:
Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba completes the Spanish conquest of Nicaragua.
1821:
Nicaragua declares independence from Spain and joins the Mexican Empire. In 1823, it becomes part of the United Provinces of Central America.
1838:
Nicaragua becomes fully independent.
1893:
General Jose Santos Zelaya takes control. In 1909, U.S. troops help overthrow him.
1937:
General Anastasio Somoza Garcia becomes president. His family holds power for more than 40 years.
1972:
An earthquake in Managua kills 5,000 to 10,000 people.
1979:
A rebel group called the Sandinistas overthrows the government. President Anastasio Somoza Debayle flees the country.
1981:
The U.S. suspends aid to Nicaragua and supports fighters known as Contras. Fighting continues until 1988.
1984:
Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega is elected president. The Sandinistas rule for six years.
1988:
Hurricane Joan leaves 180,000 people homeless. Hurricane Mitch kills thousands and further weakens the economy in 1998.
2006:
Ortega wins the presidential election and returns to power in 2007.
