1881    In North Africa, Tunisia becomes a French protectorate.

1941    World War II: The Italian convoy ''Duisburg'', directed to Tunisia, is attacked and destroyed by British ships.

1943    World War II: Battle of the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia begins.

1956    Tunisia gains independence from France.

1956    Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia join the United Nations.

1957    The Republic of Tunisia is proclaimed.

1961    French military forces break the Tunisian siege of Bizerte.

1963    France cedes control of the Bizerte naval base to Tunisia.

1987    In Tunisia, president Habib Bourguiba is overthrown and replaced by Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

2002    The Ghriba synagogue bombing by Al Qaeda kills 21 in Tunisia.