1489    The Queen of Cyprus, Catherine Cornaro, sells her kingdom to Venice.

1878    Cyprus Convention: The Ottoman Empire cedes Cyprus to the United Kingdom but retains nominal title.

1955    The EOKA rebellion against The British Empire begins in Cyprus, with the goal of obtaining the desired unification ("enosis") with Greece.

1959    The United Kingdom grants Cyprus independence, which is then formally proclaimed on August 16, 1960.

1959    Archbishop Makarios becomes the first President of Cyprus.

1960    Cyprus gains its independence from the United Kingdom.

1961    Cyprus enters the Council of Europe.

1964    Greeks and Turks begin fighting in Limassol, Cyprus.

1974    In Nicosia, Cyprus, Greek Junta-sponsored nationalists launch a coup d'état, deposing President Makarios and installing Nikos Sampson as Cypriot president.

1974    In Nicosia, Cyprus, Greek Junta-sponsored nationalists launch a coup d'état, deposing President Makarios and installing Nikos Sampson as Cypriot president.

1974    Turkish occupation of Cyprus: Forces from Turkey invade Cyprus after a "coup d' etat", organised by the dictator of Greece, against president Makarios. NATO's Council praises the United States and the United Kingdom for attempts to settle the dispute. Syria and Egypt put their militaries on alert.

2001    Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia join the European Environment Agency.

2002    Enlargement of the European Union: The European Union announces that Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia will become members from May 1, 2004.

2004    Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the European Union, celebrated at the residence of the Irish President in Dublin.

2008    Malta and Cyprus officially adopt the Euro currency and become the fourteenth and fifteenth Eurozone countries.