Time By Mason .k Mar 1, 1502 Columbus was the first European to travel to Nicaragua. Mar 1, 1920 Guerrillas and Augusto César Sandino (the leader) fought the U.S settlers. 1920 - 1930 Mar 1, 1934 A enemy general (the U.S. General) Anastasio Somoza García, wanted Sandino to be assassinated. Mar 1, 1936 Somoza seized the presidency. Mar 1, 1962 The Sandinistas, the group was formed to overthrow the Somozas. 1962 - 1977 Mar 1, 1962 Sandinistas carried out various terrorist attacks on General Somoza's National Guard. Mar 1, 1979 General Somoza was forced to leave the country, when the Sandinistas took control. Mar 1, 1990 Ortega was defeated by Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. Mar 1, 1996 Elections made Arnoldo Alemán become the president. Mar 1, 2006 Elections made Daniel Ortega president.