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Period: Jan 1, 1498 to Dec 31, 1498
Columbus
Christopher Columbus landed in Venezuela in 1498. This was the beginning of European people coming and settling Venezuela, which is why it is important to their history. It was the beginning of the Venezuela we know today. -
Jun 22, 1498
Columbus
Christopher Columbus landed in Venezuela in 1498. This was the beginning of European people coming and settling Venezuela, which is why it is important to their history. It was the beginning of the Venezuela we know today. -
Independence from Spain
On July 5, 1811, Venezuela declared their independence from Spain. On this day they signed their Declaration of Independence. This is the first step in Venezuela becoming a completely independent country. -
Battle of Boyaca
On August 7, 1819, Venezuela won against Spain in the Battle of Boyaca. They were led by Simon Bolivar, and it was the final battle before Venezuela was completely independent from Spain. It was a major win for Venezuela in their fight for independence. -
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Totally Independent
Venezuela, after becoming independent from Spain, joined with several other countires to form the Gran Colombia. In 1830, Venezuela and Ecuador left the Gran Colombia, becoming completely and totally independent. This is important because this is when Venezuela first started to really look like what it is today. -
First President
On January 13, 1830, General Jose Antonia Paez became the first ever president of Venezuela. This was one of their most recent acts as a completely independent country. He only lasted about five years, though, it was an important event in Venezuela's history. General Jose fought in the war for Venezuela's independence from Spain; many held him in a high regard. -
Totally Independent
enezuela, after becoming independent from Spain, joined with several other countires to form the Gran Colombia. In 1830, Venezuela and Ecuador left the Gran Colombia, becoming completely and totally independent. This is important because this is when Venezuela first started to really look like what it is today. -
End of Civil War
The Venezuelan Civil War, between the Conservatives and Liberals, end. It started in 1868, and ended in 1870. The battle between these two groups has been going on for a long time, and this time the Liberals won. Guzman Blanco ruled Venezuela in this time and finally ended the Civil War. It brought uneasy peace between the two that broke in 1899. -
Dictatorship
In 1953, Marcos Perez Jimenez came into power in Venezuela as a dictator. He made many improvements during this time, and the country had a period of prosperity. There was political and economic stability, rapid development of industries, and the modernization of the military. Despite all of this, he had a Secret Police that cracked down extremely harshly on criminals and people opposed to dictatorship. This was important because it happened for a long time in their history. -
Exile
In 1958, former-dictator Marcos Perez Jimenes was forced into exile. This was very important because it led Venezuela to democracy. If Marcos Perez Jimenes wasn't kicked out and into exile, Venezuela would not be a democracy as we know it. -
New President
On February 2, 1989, Carlos Andres Perez was elected president. Many people did not like this. His presidency created social and political upheavel, such as riots, martial law, and strikes. Over 2,000 people were killed during these events. -
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Attempted Coups
In 1992, about 120 people were killed in attempted coups that were led by Colonel Hugo Chavez (led an organization called the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement-200). After these attempts, Hugo Chavez was arrested.The first coup was on February 4, 1992, and the second one was on November 27, 1992. -
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Marcos Perez Jimenez Arrested
In 1996, former-leader Marcos Perez Jimenez was arrested. He was arrested for embezzlement and corruption. -
Marcos Perez Jimenez Arrested
In 1996, former-leader Marcos Perez Jimenez was arrested. He was arrested for embezzlement and corruption. -
Hugo Chavez
On February 2, 1999, Hugo Chavez was elected the president of Venezuela. In 1992, Colonel Hugo Chavez led two attempted coups in Venezuela, trying to over-throw the previous government. His election to presidency is important to the country because he was their leader until 2013, when he died, and because he had an ideology called chavismo (nationalism, a centralized economy, a strong military actively engaged in public projects are its key elements). -
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Chavez in Favor
A foregin minister, Jose Vicente Rangel, disclosed a plot to kill Chavez. Obviously, his plan failed. Along with that, Chavez won another six years in office; he had done many important things during his rule, and many Venezuelans held their favor with him. This was a big deal, seeing as he remained to be president until 2013, the year of his death. -
Visiting Iraq
Around August 10, 2000, Hugo Chavez announced (and followed through with) that he was going to visit the leader of Iraq. This was super important because Chavez was the first foreign head of state in a quite a few years (or ever) to visit Iraq. Of course, the US did not like this very much, but Chavez still went and visited and talked politics with the leader of Iraq. -
Hugo Chavez Dies
On March 5, 2013, former-president Hugo Chavez dies of cancer. He was 58 years old, and was in office for 14 years. This was a major blow to the entire country, as he was very popular. It also meant that there would be another election for someone new, which always puts people on edge. -
Nicolas Maduro
On April 19, 2013, Nicolas Maduro was elected president. He is currently the president of Venezuela. This is important because it is another change in power, which always affects things, and there might be a lot of change in Venezuela, depending on what Nicolas Maduro decides to do.
