1575    Luanda, the capital of Angola was founded by the Portuguese navigator Paulo Dias de Novais.

1976    The Angolan court sentenced US and UK mercenaries to death sentences and prison terms in the Luanda Trial.

1976    One American and three British mercenaries are executed in Angola following the Luanda Trial.

1976    Angola joins the United Nations.

1991    A rare tropical storm develops in the South Atlantic Ocean near Angola; the first to be documented by satellites.

1991    Bicesse Accords in Angola lay out a transition to multi-party democracy under the supervision of the United Nations' UNAVEM II mission.

1993    A truce is concluded between the government of Angola and UNITA rebels.

1994    The Angolan government and UNITA rebels sign the Lusaka Protocol in Zambia, ending 19 years of civil war (localized fighting resumes the next year).

2000    A chartered Antonov An-26 explodes after takeoff in Northern Angola killing 50.

2000    A chartered Antonov An-24 crashes after takeoff from Luanda, Angola killing more than 40 people.

2002    Angolan political and rebel leader Jonas Savimbi is killed in a military ambush.

2002    The Angolan government and UNITA rebels sign a peace treaty ending the Angolan Civil War.