228 BC. Carthaginians occupy southern and eastern Iberia.

218-220 BC. Romans defeat Carthage in Second Punic War and occupy Iberian peninsula.

74. Inhabitants of Iberia are granted full Roman citizenship.

409. Visigoths occupy Iberian peninsula.

711. Combined Arab and Berber force from northern Africa cross Strait of Gibraltar to occupy Iberian peninsula.

756. Independent Emirate is established in Iberia, with Córdoba as its capital.

913. Having re-taken territories in northern Spain, Christians establish capital in León.

1013. Powerful Caliphate of Córdoba breaks up due to internal strife; Moorish Spain split into small feuding kingdoms.

1212. Decisive Christian victory at battle of Navas de Tolosa spells the beginning of the end of Moorish rule in Spain.

1492. King Fernando and Queen Isabel's army capture Granada after a long siege, the final defeat of the Moors in Spain. Jews are forced to convert to Christianity; those who refuse are expelled from Spain. Christopher Columbus sets sail on his voyage of discovery.

1702-14. War of Spanish Succession. Bourbon dynasty accedes to Spanish throne.

1808-14. Peninsular War. Spaniards rise against Napoleon's occupying force. Combination of guerilla tactics and support from Wellington's army end in French defeat.

1898. Spanish American War. Spain loses Cuba and Philippines.

1931. Spanish king is forced to abdicate. Spain becomes a republic.

1936-39. Spanish Civil War. Bloody conflict ends with General Franco's victory. Dictatorship established.

1975. Franco dies, Juan Carlos de Borbón is proclaimed king. Spain becomes constitutional monarchy. Democracy would bring membership of the European Community.

1982. Spain joins NATO, becoming a member of a mainstream European organization.

1995. Spain joins the European Community.

2004. Islamic terrorists strike the Atocha train station in Madrid with bombs, killing nearly 300 and precipitating a change in government