1502 Columbus lands in the vicinity

1522 Spanish settlement begins

1821 Costa Rica joins other Central American countries in a joint declaration of independance

1838 Costa Rica withdraws from the Central American Federation and proclaims itself sovereign

1899 Peaceful Democracy begins with first free elections

1917 Two year Dictatorship of Frederico Tinoco begins

1948 Jose Figueres leads an armed uprising after a disputed presidential election

1953 National hero Jose Figueres wins the first election under the newly drafted constitution