Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina is undoubtedly one of the best-known figures in Dominican history. The “Era de Trujillo” occupied the Dominican Republic for a long period of thirty-one years. His dictatorship began in 1930 and ended with his assassination on May 30, 1961. Trujillo's career began with the occupation of the United States in 1916. During this period, he was trained in a military school and is became a member of the national police, an army. group formed by the United States to maintain order in the Dominican Republic. Trujillo rose to prominence during his military career and quickly rose through the military ranks. Under the government of Horatio Vásquez, Trujillo received the rank of lieutenant colonel and was put in charge of the chiefs and deputy commanders of the national police. This new position gives him the opportunity to participate in the overthrow of Horatio Vasquez. Trujillo was sworn in as president on August 16, 1930. Marking the beginning of what is known as the cruel, violent and controversial part of the Dominican Republic's history. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina came into the world on October 24, 1891. He was born in the small town of San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. He was the son of José Trujillo Valdez and Altagracia Julia Molina. Trujillo's parents were married on September 24, 1887 in San Cristobal. Trujillo's father was a merchant and was dedicated to buying and selling items from which he could make a profit. Her mother was a housewife and was considered very gentle and generous by those who knew her. Not much is known about Trujillo's childhood and family, as his records have been altered so as not to shame his name. What we do know is that he was... middle of paper... and kill him. his death became famous because this affair was considered one of the reasons why relations between the United States and the Dominican Republic were ruined. Works CitedCarcel la 40, Tortura de Trujillo, Youtube Interview., January 24, 2012Martinez, Lorenzo A. Staff Interview. April 10, 2014. Martinez Silvia C. Personal interview. April 10, 2014.Secondary SourcesBlock Maxine (Author), E. Mary Trow (Editor). Current Biography Who's News and Why 1941 (January 1, 1941 ed.). The HW Wilson Company. p. 976.Crassweller, Robert D. Trujillo: The Life and Times of a Caribbean Dictator. New York: Macmillan.1966. Derby Lauren, The Seduction of the Dictator: Gender and State Spectacle during the Trujillo Regime, Callaloo 23.3. Summer 2000, pp. 1112-1146. Diederich Bernard. Trujillo: Death of the goat. London: The Bodley Head Ltd 1978.