Use arbitrary LaTeX itemize in Org Mode

Question

If I want to export a itemized list from Org to LaTeX, is there a way to set arbitrary itemization? The usual Org plain list, i.e. - item will result in an \begin{itemize} environment, but I would like to set arbitrary itemization. For example, is there any kind of Org list markup that will output this kind of LaTeX list environment?

\begin{itemize}

\item[2013]
    This item happened in 2013

\item[2012]
    This item happened in 2012

\end{itemize}

Edit:

The problem is that Org is recognising the years as inactive timestamps or footnote references and this is screwing up the LaTeX export. Solution below.

Answer 1

I can't tell whether it's what you're looking for, but

 - 2013 :: This happened in 2013
 - 2012 :: This happened in 2012

will produce

\begin{description}
\item[2013] This happened in 2013
\item[2012] This happened in 2012
\end{description}

I haven't tried, but according to this WikiBook it seems as though there will be no dot trailing the year.