1937: Somoza dictatorship begins.
1978: Opposition unites.
1978-1979: US tries to replace Somoza, but is against FSLN.
1979: Sandinistas take power.
1980: FSLN government nationalises Somoza land.
1981: US works to overthrow Sandinistas, with UK support.
1982-1987: CIA, NSC and US's Contra rebels' devastating war.
1984: US condemned by the World Court for mining harbours.
1986: US's Iran-Contra funding is revealed. World Court orders US to pay $17 billion to Nicaragua. The U.S. never pays.
1987: Peace agreement.
1988-1990: US aids opposition, gets Chamorro elected.
2001: IMF & World Bank ruination.
2002: USA resumes military aid.
2003: US free trade agreement.
2004: 80% of World Bank debt wiped.