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American banana companies invested heavily in Honduras in the early 20th century, improving worker settlements, railroad systems, and port infrastructure. Increased foreign involvement in Honduran affairs began in 1911 to 1912 when the United States sent marines to defend American banana investments. As a result, Honduras became known as a "banana republic" with many political and economic powers held by multinational corporations. -
Despite declaring war on Germany in 1918, Honduras refrained from actively participating in the war. Although the country's involvement was mainly symbolic, this declaration showed Honduras' diplomatic stance during the international conflict and placed the country in line with the Allied powers. -
General Tiburcio Carías Andino, the leader of the National Party, was elected president in 1932, during a period of instability in politics and financial crisis brought on by the Great Depression. He remained in office until 1949. Despite having policies that were largely similar to liberal political and economic ideologies, his prolonged reign was one of Honduras' longest periods of authoritarian rule. -
In December 1941, after the United States entered World War II, Honduras declared war on Germany, Italy, and Japan. Significant economic hardship resulted from the wartime shipping restrictions, as export surpluses of copra, bananas, and coconuts built up and caused widespread unemployment and instability. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the government implemented beneficial reforms during this time. -
In July 1969, disagreements during World Cup qualifying matches set off a short but violent military conflict between Honduras and El Salvador, which had a basis in more serious problems like migration and land disputes. Before the Organization of American States mediated a ceasefire on July 18, the conflict lasted for about 100 hours. Economic strains and the hundreds of thousands of Salvadoran immigrants living in Honduras were the main causes of the conflict. -
Honduras got heavily involve in neighboring Cold War conflicts in the 1980s. U.S.-sanctioned border regions with Honduras served as bases for military operations by Nicaraguan Contra rebels, who opposed the Sandinista government. Honduras became a major player in Central American Cold War politics as a result of the United States giving it significant aid in return for hosting these counter-insurgency operations. -
After almost 20 years of nonstop military rule, Honduras held elections in November 1981. The Liberal Party's Roberto Suazo Córdova was elected president, representing a significant shift from military dictatorship to electoral democracy. This change marked a turning point in Honduras' political evolution toward civilian rule. -
Hurricane Mitch, one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the Americas, poured rain on Honduras in October 1998.Across the nation, the hurricane destroyed roads, population centers, and crops. In addition to causing devastating flooding and mudslides that delayed Honduras' progress by decades, the storm killed about 7,000 lives. -
After trying to hold a national nationwide vote that would have allowed for constitutional amendment to allow for a second term as president, President Manuel Zelaya was overthrown in a military coup on June 28, 2009. The Supreme Court had ruled that the election was unlawful, and the National Congress and military had opposed it. Following Zelaya's flight to Costa Rica by the military, he was voted out of office by the National Congress. -
In November 2021, Xiomara Castro, the wife of former President Manuel Zelaya, was elected as the first female president of Honduras. With roughly 53% of the vote, she defeated Nasry Asfura, the National Party's candidate, ending the party's 12-year dominance. Castro became the first non-traditional two-party president since democracy was restored in 1982 when he took office on January 27, 2022.