The chronological timeline Dominican Republic

1492

Christopher Columbus landed on the island and names it Hispaniola

1810

Juan Bautista Alfonseca was born. (1810-1875)

The father of Dominican music

He introduced the Merengue and Mangulina folkdance rhythms into the ballroom.

1821

Uprising against Spanish rule is followed by a brief period of independence

1822

Haitian occupation of Santo Domingo.

1835

Jose Rufino Reyes Siancas was born. (1835-1905)

1844

Santo Domingo liberated itslef from Haiti and became the Dominican Republic.

1858

Francisco Antonio Lora Cabrera (Nico Lora) was born. (1858-1971)

One of the fathers of Merengue.

Composer of Dice Desiderio Arias.

1861

Second period of Spanish rule begins.

1875

Juan Bautista Alfonseca died. (1810-1875)

1883

National Anthem “Quisqueyanos Valientes” composed by Jose Rufino Reyes Siancas

1900

Julio Alberto Hernandez was born. (1900-1999)

He is the founding member of the Sociedad de Conciertos and Orquesta Sinfonica.

1905

Jose Rufino Reyes Siancas died. (1835-1905)

1920

Joseito Mateo was born. (1920-Present)

“The King” of Merengue

1923

Orquesta Sinfonica was founded

1928

The Sociedad de Conciertos was founded

1942

Johnny Ventura was born. (1940-Present)

One of the most famous Merengue band leaders and singers in Latin America.

1949

The National Conservatory of Music was founded

1949

Wilfrido Vargas was born. (1949-Present)

Internationalized the Merengue.

Managed the first all-female Merengue band

1952

Luis Dias Portorreal was born. (1952-2009)

The father of Dominican Rock

1953

Johnny Pacheco was born. (1953-Present)

1956

Palace of Fine Arts and the amphitheater Agua y Luz of the Feria de la Paz were built

1956

Michel Camilo was born. (1956-Present)

Pianist leader and composer. One of the leaders of Latin Jazz

1957

Juan Luis Guerra was born. (1957-Present)

1961

The fall of Trujillo’s dictatorship and the flourishing of broadcast and publishing media

1962

Joseito Mateo became the first leading vocalist in El Gran Combo.

With the release of Meneame los Mangos, El Gran Combo made debut.

1971

Francisco Antonio Lora Cabrera (Nico Lora) died. (1858-1971)

1973

The National Theater was built

1974

Johnny Ventura participated in Siete Días con el Pueblo, a megaconcert held to challenge right-wing president Joaquín Balaguer.

1991

The first Dominican to win a Grammy for Best Tropical Album with his Bachata Rosa (1991), It was precisely this album that brought bachata to the middle class

1996

Johnny Pacheco was the first Latin music producer to receive the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) Governor's Award in New York City.

1999

Julio Alberto Hernandez died. (1900-1999)

2009

Luis Dias Portorreal died. (1952-2009)

Thanks to Madeline Herrera' s work.