7th century AD	several Slavic clans unite to form a Czech state
830-907	Great Moravian Empire
1085	Vratislav ll becomes the first Czech king
1212	The rights of the Czech Lands recognised and sanctioned by the Golden Bull of Sicily, the Czech Kingdom becomes part of the Holy Roman Empire
1346-1378	Rule of Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and Czech King
1347	Charles IV founds the first institution of higher learning in Central Europe, Charles University
1526-1918	the rule of Habsburgs
28 October 1918	Czechoslovak Republic established. A prosperous independent state, the era of the Presidents T.G.Masaryk and E.Benes
1938	Munich Agreements presage Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and the imposition of German protectorate on Bohemia and Moravia
May 1945	Czechoslovakia re-established
February 1948	Czechoslovakia becomes a socialist country, a coup installs a Communist Party regime. Apart from a brief reformation spell known as the Prague Spring, the totalitarian regime clings to power until November 1989
17 November 1989	Political change known as the Velvet revolution ends the dominance of the Communist Party, Václav Havel becomes president of a new democratic state
1 January 1993	Czechoslovakia splits into two independent states - the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Václav Havel elected President of the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic consists of three historical lands - Bohemia, Moravia and part of Silesia. Its democratic and plural political system guarantees the elementary civil rights and liberties to all citizens. The economy is based on market principles with a small and decreasing role of the state. The country promotes free decision making and personal initiative of each and every individual. The Czech state strengthens its international standing and becomes part of European and global structures. Since 1999, the Czech Republic has been a member of NATO. The Czech Republic is one of the frontrunner candidates for membership in the European Union.