1517  Spanish make first landing and engage the caciques (tribal leaders), Nicarao and Diriangén in battle.

This ensign was the one used by Spanish galleons, the biggest war vessels of the Spanish Navy at that time.
Image by Jose Carlos Alegría

Flags of the World website at www.flagspot.net/flags


1522 Spanish invade and start colonisation of region.

1589 English and Dutch pirates make bases on Mosquito Coast.

1638 Kingdom of Mosquitia officially recognised by English Crown.

1783 Britain forced to withdraw from Atlantic Coast.

1821 Spain withdraws from Central America.

1823 Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica form a federal state.

1838 Nicaragua declares itself an independent republic.


1840s Britain returns to Atlantic Coast and makes Miskito Kingdom a British Protectorate.

Image by Mark Sensen
from FOTW Flags Of The World website at www.flagspot.net/flags
 

1855 American William Walker invades Nicaragua and makes himself President.

1860 Britain withdraws from Atlantic Coast under pressure from US.

1894 Atlantic Coast incorporated into Nicaragua by President José Santos Zelaya.

1811 US asserts control over Nicaraguan economy through Dawson Accords.

1812 US marines intervene in Nicaragua to crush a peasant uprising and remain until 1933.

US marine in Nicaragua, 1928
Credit: Nueva Nicaragua
 

1927 – 1932 Augusto Sandino leads successful military campaign against US interests.

     

                  
                             Go to Sandino for picture and to find out more >>
 

 

1934 Sandino assassinated on orders of Anastasio Somoza, chief of National Guard.

1937 Somoza installs himself as President.

1956 Somoza assassinated by Rigoberto Lopez Perez; his eldest son Luis Somoza, takes over as President.

1961 FSLN founded (National Sandinista Liberation Front).

1967 Luis Somoza dies; brother (another Anastasio) takes power.

1968 FLSN publishes its framework for a future revolutionary government.

1972 Earthquake destroys Managua and kills an estimated 20,000 people. Somoza diverts much of international aid to own coffers.

1974 Introduction of martial law.

1978 Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, editor of La Prensa, assassinated by National Guard.

1979 The Revolution: FSLN take the country’s largest towns and march into Managua.

Front cover of this highly recommended book shows the FSLN leaders arriving to the jubilation of the crowds on July 19th 1979.
Cover photo by Perry Kretz



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