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Columbus discovered what we know today as the Dominican Republic and named it Little Spain.
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Spaniards set up the first colony at Santo Domingo, served as capital of all Spanish colonies in south America.
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first shipment of Africans to Santo Domingo
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Francis Drake attacked Santo Domingo in Hispaniola and forced the governor to pay a large ransom.
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Treaty of Ryswick gave the western part of Hispaniola island (Haiti) to France and eastern part (Santo Domingo-present day Dominican Republic) to Spain.
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First British came ashore St. Domingue
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Spain ceded its portion of Hispaniola island to France.
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Following the Spanish revolt Creoles, Spain took Santo Domingo.
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Napoleon overthrew the king of Spain.
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Brief period of independence after uprising against Spanish rule.
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Haitian republica born
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Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti, became Dominican Republic
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President Pedro Santana returned Dominican Republic to Spanish rule.
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Second Dominican Republic proclaimed.
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50-year treaty signed by US and Dominican Republic, US took over the Republic's customs department in return for buying its debts.
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Albert was born on January 16th, 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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José Alberto Pujols Alcántara, better known as Albert Pujols, is a Dominican American professional baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball.
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After one season of college baseball, Pujols was selected by the Cardinals in the 13th round of the 1999 MLB draft. As a rookie for the Cardinals in 2001, he was unanimously voted the NL Rookie of the Year.
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Pujols is a highly regarded hitter who has shown a "combination of contact hitting ability, patience, and raw power".[1][2][3] He is a six-time Silver Slugger who has twice led the NL in home runs, and he has also led the NL once each in batting average, doubles and RBI.
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He is significantly above-average in career regular season batting average (.312), walk rate (12.1 percent), and Isolated Power (.217).[4][5][6] Pujols is considered a strong future candidate for the Hall of Fame.[7][8][9]
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Dominican cuisine uses seafood, meat and vegetables, although poorer people in the rural areas cannot afford to eat meat regularly. The most common dish is la bandera, which consists of white rice, beans, vegetables and frito verdes (fried green plantain), served with savory chicken, beef or goat. Goat meat is particularly popular. Beef is common only in the Cibao region.
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In Dominican society appearance is very important. People are extremely fashion conscious and believe that clothes indicate social standing and success. They take great pride in wearing good fabrics and clothes of the best standard they can afford. Designer labels, particularly those from the United States, are looked upon favorable.
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Although influenced by North American values, the Dominican Republic maintains the Spanish tradition of familial solidarity. People look to their family and relatives for support and help. In addition to blood relationships, people may have relationships of compadrazgo or "co-parentage." Com-padres are godparents who play an important role in their god children's life. Godparents are chosen before the child's birth and are expected to assist with the child's education, career and even finances.
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The Dominican constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Roman Catholicism was established as the official state religion in 1954 by President Trujillo.
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Dominicans are passionate fans of baseball, or pelota, as they call it. Before baseball became popular, cockfights were the national passion. These fights are legal, and are still popular among men in small towns and rural areas, although the authorities disapprove of them. Each town and village has its own "gallera", or cockfight pit.
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Maintaining eye contact is crucial as it indicates interest. When shaking hands, use the appropriate greeting for the time of day "buenos dias", "buenas noches", or "buenas tardes". If invited to dinner at a Dominican's home bring a gift such as chocolates or pastries. Avoid gifts that are black or purple. They are considered mourning colors. Gifts are opened when received.
