TIMELINE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

1492-  Christopher Columbus visits the island, which he names Hispaniola (“Little Spain”)
1494-  First church music performed at the mass celebrated at La Isabela

1496-  First Spanish colony at Santo Domingo (Subsequently served as the capital of all Spanish colonies in South America)
1510-  The first shipment of Africans to Santo Domingo
1515-  The indigenous Taino Indians were practically annihilated due to continuous clashes and rebellion against the Spanish
1598-  First position of organist was instituted in Santo Domingo

1697-  Treaty of Ryswick gives Haiti to France and the present Dominican Republic to Spain.
1698-  Calenda earliest documentation of music and dance of the African Slaves

1795-  Spain cedes its portion of Hispaniola island to France
1808-  Spain retakes Santo Domingo following revolt by Spanish Creoles
1810-  Overthrow of the king of Spain by Napoleon
1810-  Singing of High Masses were suspended for lack of musicians and then the situation was reversed during Spanish rule (1861-1965)

1810-  Juan Bautista Alfonseca the “father of Dominican music” was born

1822- Haitian Republic is born
1844 Feb 27-  Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti. Santo Domingo declares its independence and becomes the Dominican Republic
1844-  First National Anthem:  Himno de la independencia (Hymn of the Independence) was composed by Juan Bautista Alfonseca

1850-  Dominican merengue introduced by Juan Bautista Alfonseca

1850- Concert and salon music begin to flourish

1855, 1869, 1885-  Private schools of music were created

1861-  Second National Anthem:  Himno de la restauracion (Hymn of the Restoration)

1863-  Third National Anthem:  Himno Nacional Dominicano was first sung

1876-  Jose de Jesus Ravelo was born

1880-  Accordion introduced by the Germans

1895-  Luis Emilio Mena was born

1904-  Octeto del Casino de la Juventud by Jose de Jesus Ravelo

1906-  Luis Alberti was born

1908-  Liceo Musical was established by Jose de Jesus Ravelo

1913-  First Commercial recordings of operas, zarzuelas and dance music.

1916-24-  US forces occupy the Dominican Republic following internal disorder
1918-  Juan Francis Garcia published the first Merengue

1922-  Creation of Sociedad de Conciertos by Jose de Jesus Ravelo

1924-  First radio station HIH

1924-  Constitutional government assumes control and the US forces withdraw.

1925-  Alto Saxophone was introduced

1942-  Conservatorio Nacional was founded (formerly Liceo Musical)

1945-  First television station, Radio-television La Voz Dominicana

1959-  First recordings fully manufactured at the Fabrica Dominicana de Discos

1980’s-  Development of Bachata


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