The history of the Dominican Republic began with the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, marking the island of Hispaniola as the first European settlement in the Americas. The island was originally inhabited by the Taíno people, who faced significant challenges due to colonization. Over the centuries, the island changed hands between various colonial powers, including Spain and France. In 1821, the Dominican Republic declared independence from Spain, but it was soon occupied by Haitian forces. After a long struggle, the country regained its independence in 1844. The nation has since experienced periods of political instability, including the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo from 1930 to 1961, shaping its modern identity.