1961    Kuwait declares independence from the United Kingdom.

1962    Kuwait's National Assembly ratifies the Constitution of Kuwait.

1963    Kuwait joins the United Nations.

1981    In Riyadh, the Gulf Cooperation Council is created between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

1990    Iraqi forces start massing on the Kuwait-Iraq border.

1990    Iraq invades Kuwait, eventually leading to the Gulf War.

1990    Gulf War: the United Nations Security Council orders a global trade embargo against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

1990    Iraq occupies Kuwait and the state is annexed to Iraq. This would lead to the Gulf War shortly afterward.

1990    Iraq declares Kuwait to be its newest province.

1990    Gulf War: The United Nations Security Council passes United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, authorizing "use all necessary means to uphold and implement" United Nations Security Council Resolution 660 "to restore international peace and security" if Iraq did not withdraw its forces from Kuwait and free all foreign hostages by January 15, 1991.

1991    Gulf War: An act of the U.S. Congress authorizes the use of military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.

1991    The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, preparing the way for the start of Operation Desert Storm.

1991    Gulf War: On Baghdad Radio Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein announces the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

1991    Gulf War: U.S. President George H. W. Bush announces that "Kuwait is liberated".

1991    The Islamic Constitutional Movement, or Hadas, is established in Kuwait.

2005    Kuwait permits women's suffrage in a 35-23 National Assembly vote.

2010    Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, with the last of the United States brigade combat teams crossing the border to Kuwait.