Egypt's centuries-old Ottoman occupation ended in 1914 when the country came under British rule. It became fully independent in 1936. Army officers led by Lt.-Col. Nasser seized power.
* 1953 Political parties dissolved, monarchy abolished. Republic proclaimed with General Neguib as president.
* 1954 UK agrees to withdraw troops from Suez Canal in 1956. Nasser deposes Neguib to become president.
* 1956 Suez crisis. British troops withdraw from Canal. UK and USA refuse to help finance AswΓn Dam. Nasser orders nationalization of Suez Canal Company to raise revenue for the dam. Israeli, British and French forces invade, but withdraw after pressure from UN and USA.
* 1957 Suez Canal reopens after UN salvage fleet clears blockade.
* 1958 Egypt merges with Syria as United Arab Republic.
* 1960 Soviets begin work on the AswΓn Dam.
* 1961 Syria breaks away from union with Egypt.
* 1967 Six Day War with Israel results in loss of Sinai.
* 1970 Nasser dies of heart attack. Succeeded by Anwar Sadat.
* 1971 Readopts the name Egypt. Islam becomes state religion.
* 1972 Soviet military advisors dismissed from Egypt.
* 1974û1975 USA brokers partial Israeli withdrawal from Sinai.
* 1977 Sadat visits Jerusalem for first-ever meeting with Israeli prime minister.
* 1978 Camp David accords brokered by US President Carter, signed by Egypt and Israel.
* 1979 Egypt and Israel sign peace treaty. Egypt is shunned by most Arab states.
* 1981 Sadat assassinated by Islamic extremists. Succeeded by Hosni Mubarak.
* 1982 Last Israeli troops leave Sinai.
* 1986 President Mubarak meets Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to discuss Middle East peace.
* 1989 Saudi Arabia's King Fahd visits Cairo, symbolizing Egypt's rehabilitation in Arab world.
* 1989 After 12-year rift, Egypt and Syria resume diplomatic relations.
* 1990 Egypt participates in UN operation to liberate Kuwait.
* 1991 Damascus declaration provides for a defense pact among Egypt, Syria and Gulf cooperation countries against Iraq.
