February is a month when in America we celebrate the history of African Americans and we reflect of the many years of struggle and the many battles that were fought in order to end the ongoing oppression.
But in February, many miles across the sea, there is a beautiful tropical island with a rich culture that proudly celebrates there independence, an island with good and humble people, an island where millions of tourists visit each year and are enchanted by their wonderful stay in what many consider one of the most beautiful places in the world, this island is my island Quisqeya best known as Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean approximately 49,000 miles from Cuba. Although the island is shared with Haiti, the Dominican Republic is completely independent with its own government, is own money and its own military. The Dominican Republic has a population of about 10 million people. The population across the Island is 73% multiracial, 16% white and 11% black.
The Dominican Republic was discovered by Italian Navigator Christopher Columbus in 1492 while exploring the western hemisphere in the very famous ships La Pinta, La Nina and the Santa Maria. After being occupied by the Spanish, many diseases where spread throughout the Island killing off most of the natives who were called Tainos which had little to no immunity to their infectious diseases. Those who didn’t die, were broken up from their family and enslaved. After conquering the Aztecs and Incas in Mexico, Spain no longer had interest in the island of Espanola and therefore ceded the island to France.
In 1795, the Island was French ruled and about 90% of the population had been enslaved. French Revolutionary wars as well as slaves who revolted against France weakened France’s stronghold in the Dominican Republic returning the Island back to Spanish control by 1808.
After 13 years of discontent and struggle, in 1821, the Dominican Republic declared itself independent. 2 Months later, the Dominican Republic was invaded by Haiti. Many Dominicans were drafted in the Haitian Army in order to once and for all do away with slavery as well as the remaining Spanish rulers. By 1838, the Fathers of liberty Juan Pablo Duarte, Ramon Matias Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sanchez created a secret society called La Trinitaria which sought the complete independence of Dominican Republic from Haitians.
On February 27, 1844, the Dominican Republic became an independent Country freeing itself from Haiti and all foreign enemies. The Dominican Republic’s constitution was adopted in the model of the constitution of the United States.
Today, the Dominican Republic is one of the most visited places in the world attracting million of people from all over the world.
