"The Best Nightmare on Earth" - Haiti Quiz

Answer: False

It was Spain that first colonized the island, following the arrival of Christopher Columbus on Christmas 1492. After running his ship "Santa Maria" aground, he dubbed the section of the island, "La Navidad". As his "discovery" of the island occurred on a Sunday, the entire island became known as "San Domingo". Subsequently, the island became known as, "La Espanola" (Hispaniola to English speakers).

The French began to colonize western parts of the island in the mid-1600s, which was followed by over a century of squabbling with the Spanish over control of Hispaniola. In 1795, the treaty known as the Peace of Basel divided the island along the borders recognized today, leaving Haiti with approximately 35% of the island. However, Haiti's bullhead shaped and mountainous geography gives it a huge natural harbor, which has helped protect it from the destructive winds that come with hurricanes. This was not only important in the days of wind-driven sailing ships; it has been a literal life saver for Haitians living in haphazardly built shanties. Sadly, the harbor yields no protection from the hurricane-related floods or earthquakes.

Answer: Kreyol

Also known as "Haitian Creole" or "Kreyol Ayisyen", this hybrid language is based primarily on French and the West African languages of the enslaved Africans brought to Haiti in the 1700s. There is also significant influence from Spanish and English.

Answer: Navassa Island

Also known as La Navasse (French) and Lavanaz (Kreyol), the uninhabited 2 sq. mile (5 km) island has been claimed by Haiti, but never occupied, since 1801. In 1857, it was claimed by American interests under the "Guano Islands Act", and became a source for the phosphate rich guano (petrified bat droppings used for organic) fertilizer. For several years, a maritime lighthouse was operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The island is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a wildlife reserve, with tightly restricted access to visitors.

Answer: La Citadelle

It took 20,000 laborers 15 years, from 1805 to 1820, to complete General Christophe's military stronghold. Although its purpose was to stave off an invasion by Haiti's former colonial power, France, the attack never materialized. General Christophe suffered a disabling stroke shortly after the completion of the fort.

He subsequently committed suicide, allegedly shooting himself with a silver bullet.

Answer: Operation Restore Democracy

As soon as the brave men and women of the U.S. military landed at the Port-au-Prince International Airport and apparently following a telephone call from his old schoolmate, Gen. Colin Powell, Gen. Cédras and his cronies agreed to leave Haiti for exile in Panama. Following the establishing a level of security in the country, the "democratically elected" president, Fr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide was restored to office and the official name of the military mission was changed to "Operation Uphold Democracy". Shortly thereafter, the international embargo placed on Haiti in 1991 was lifted.

The general gratitude of the Haitian people can be seen by the murals and graffiti painted on the sides of several buildings and brick walls with slogans such as, "USA and Haiti for 50 more years".

Answer: Saut d'Eau

Every summer, particularly in July, thousands of Haitians visit Saut d'Eau ("Sodo" in Kreyol), set aside their usual modesty, strip down to their underwear (or "birthday suit") and bathe in the waters begging the "Loa" (a patron deity or holy entity) known as Ertzuli Dantor for special favors and blessings.

A catholic priest cut down the palm tree by which the Virgin Mary appeared lest it become the center of vodou activity or other idolatry. Obviously, this action failed.

The site and pilgrimage were featured in the 1987 movie "The Serpent and the Rainbow".

Answer: Hotel Oloffson

Hotel Oloffson is still in operation, having survived hurricanes, civil & political unrest, and the devastating 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince.

The hotel and it regulars were the inspiration for the "Hotel Trianon" in Graham Greene's novel, "The Comedians". The book was adapted for Peter Glenville's 1967 movie of the same name which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Both the book and movie were banned during the François Duvalier dictatorship because of the accurate description of the regime's brutality toward Haiti's people.

Answer: Baby Doc

The younger Duvalier's rule was as oppressive as that of his father thanks to an army of greedy minions loyal to the regime. It is said that his wife Michelle Duvalier was the real "power behind the throne". The Duvalier family and their closest friends were exiled during the public uprising in 1986.

The 1000s of cronies and minions were abandoned to defend themselves from the vengeful populace.

Answer: Palais National

The enormous white structure, designed by Georges H. Baussan, was three times larger than the White House in Washington, D.C. It was completed in 1920 after initial construction attempts were stymied by a mob set fire after the assassination of then President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam.

The Palais National served as the center of operations during the brutal dictatorships of Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier and his son, Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier. Stories abound of torture chambers and human sacrifices that allegedly took place within the palace walls. So when the palace of corruption and horror collapsed in the 7.0 earthquake of 2010, many Haitians were glad to see that the building had been destroyed.

Answer: Cathedral de Notre-Dame de Port-au-Prince

Cathédral de Notre Dame de Port-au-Prince, aka Cathédral de Notre Dame de le Assomption (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption), took 31 years to construct before it was completed in 1914. It was another 14 years before it was officially consecrated.

It only took 30 seconds for the January 12, 2010 earthquake to destroy it along with other church buildings. Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot was killed when his residence collapsed on top of him. He joined another estimated 200,000 souls that left this world on that tragic day.

This quiz is dedicated to the men, women, and CHILDREN killed, gravely injured and left homeless by the quake.