3000 b. c.
For the old world Ethiopia was a country full of mystery. People called
every unknown part of Africa “Ethiopia”. This name has its origin in
Greek and means “burned face”.
1000 b. c.
South-Arabians came across the Red Sea and settled down as tradesmen on
the coast of Eritrea. They introduced a new language and gave their new
country the name “Sheba”. The Queen of Sheba travelled to Jerusalem to
meet King Solomon.
975 b. c.
The legend tells us that the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon had a son,
Menelik I., who was the first emperor of Ethiopia. Haile Selassie claims
to be the 225th monarch out of this family-line.
100 a. d.
The settlers from South-Arabia built up a big kingdom with the city Axum
as its centre and had trade-business with the Mid-East.
325-350 a.d.
The civilization founded by the Axumites reached its edge under the
leadership of Ezana. He converted to christianity which from then on was
the main religion of the Ethiopic state.
570 a. d.
The birthday of Mohammed - For the Ethiopians this was the beginning of
the dark years of war against Islam.
900 a. d.
The extension of Islam forced the Axumites to go to the south.
1137 a. d.
A new Zawge-Dynasty took over the throne.
1270 a. d.
With King Yekune Amlak on the throne the family-line of King Solomon was
re-established.
1434-1468
Zera Yacob, a great emperor, established the first diplomatic relationship
with Europe.
1541
Christopher da Gama arrived at Masawa with 400 men.
1578
Emperor Sarsa Dengal stroke back the Turks who occupied Masawa.
1706 King
Iyasu “The Great” was killed by his son Tekla Haymanot.
1721-1730
Emperor Bakaffa travelled through the big country in disguise and tried to
destroy the power of aristocracy.
1800 This
period of time is known as the Era of the Mesafints (leaders).
1813-1847
King Sahle Selassie, the great-great-grandfather of Haile Selassie, was
King of Shoa
1855-1868
The era of Emperor Theodor, who tried to modernize the country.
1872 The
Ras of Tigre is the new emperor, John IV.
1889 The
crowning of Emperor Menelik II. took place in the capital Addis Abeba. He
was forced to negotiate with the Italians about the frontiers of the
Italian territory, Eritrea.
1891 The
Italians tried to defeat the rebellions of Ras Mangasha.
1896 On
1st March the Italians had been defeated in the battle of Adowa and
Ethiopia accepted as an independent nation.
1909
Menelik II. fell sick and his grand-son Lij Iyasu was the next emperor.
1913 Lij
Iyasu tried to set his neighbors Somalia, Kenia, Sudan and Eritrea free
from colonialization.
1916 Lij
Iyasu was excluded from church.
1917
Princess Zauditu became the new emperor of Ethiopia and Ras Tafari Makonen
became the new king.
1923
Ethiopia entered the League of Nations.
1924 Ras
Tafari visited the European continent and returned with the crown of
Emperor Theodore of England.
1928
Ethiopia signed a 20-years peace-treaty with Italy.
1930
Emperor Zauditu died and Emperor Haile Selassie was crowned in Addis Abeba.
1931
Haile Selassie introduced a constitution and opened a parliament.
1933
Quarrels with the Italians about water-sources.
1935 War
with Mussolini.
1936-1940
Ethiopia was occupied by Italy and Haile Selassie escaped to England.
1941 Year
of Liberation - On 3rd July the last Italians were forced to give up and
Haile Selassie returned.
1942 The
emperor started a recreation-program.
1945
Ethiopia received support from USA. Foundation of Ethiopian Airlines.
1952
Eritrea joined Ethiopia.
1960 An
attack against Haile Selassie failed.
1966
Haile Selassie visited the Caribbean Islands.
1973 6
years of dryness had led 300.000 people into a big catastrophe.
1974 A
group of army officers under the command of Major Mengistu started a
revolutionary outbreak against Haile Selassie.
1975
Haile Selassie died. A revolution-government started to “socialize”
Ethiopia.
1976
Foundation of the Office of Politics.
1977 War
with Somalia.
1979
Proclamation of the green revolution which planned to collectively
agriculture and built a committee for foundation of “The Party of
Working People”.
1982 The
government attacked the liberation movement of Eritrea.
1983-1985
Dryness and hunger - 750.000 people died.
1985
Foundation of “The Party of Working People” like in USSR.
1988
Ethiopia became a socialistic republic.
