[238 BC] Establishment of Buyeo.

[200 BC] Establishment of Samhan confederacies.

[195 BC] Establishment of Wiman Joseon.

[108 BC] Han Dynasty destroys Wiman Joseon

[57 BC] Traditional date for the founding of Silla by Bak Hyeokgeose.

[37 BC] Traditional date for the founding of Goguryeo by Jumong.

[18 BC] Traditional date for the founding of Baekje by Onjo.

[8] Baekje annexes much of the Mahan confederacy.

[42] Traditional date for the founding of Gaya by Suro.

[53] Goguryeo becomes a centralized kingdom under Taejo's reign.

[105] Baekje and Silla sign peace treaty.

[122] Goguryeo allies with the Mahan confederacy to attack Han China in Liaodong.

[167] Baekje attacks Silla for harboring a Baekje court traitor.

[188] Baekje expands into Silla territory, capturing several castles.

[234] Baekje becomes a centralized kingdom under Goi's reign.

[250] Goguryeo attacks Silla, signs truce.

[313] Goguryeo destroys China's Lelang commandery.

[346] Baekje's Geunchogo ascends to the throne, beginning the peak of Baekje's power.

[356] Silla becomes a centralized kingdom under Naemul's reign.

[369] Baekje completes absorption of the Mahan confederacy.

[371] Baekje's King Geunchogo invades Goguryeo and kills King Gogugwon.

[372] Under Sosurim, Goguryeo imports Buddhism from Former Qin of China.

[384] Asin of Baekje officially adopts Buddhism.

[392] Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo begins his reign, expanding Goguryeo into a major regional power.

[400] Goguryeo supports Silla with 50,000 troops to repel Wae of Japan.

[413] Jangsu of Goguryeo erects the Gwanggaeto Stele.

[427] Goguryeo moves its capital from Guknae Seong to Pyongyang.

[433] Baekje and Silla form an alliance against Goguryeo's aggression.

[475] Goguryeo attacks Baekje and captures Hanseong .

[494] Last remains of Buyeo absorbed by Goguryeo.

[498] Baekje attacks Tamna (modern day Jejudo).

[512] Silla conquers Usan (modern day Ulleungdo).

[522] Silla begins absorption of Gaya.

[523] Baekje moves its capital south to Ungjin (modern day Gongju), and again to Sabi (modern day Buyeo)

[527] Silla formally adopts Buddhism

[540] Silla establishes the Hwarang, a military and religious order of youth.

[551] Silla-Baekje forces attack Goguryeo, Silla captures Seoul.

[553] Silla attacks Baekje, breaking the alliance.

[562] Silla completes annexation of Gaya.

[598] First of a series of major Sui Dynasty attacks in the Goguryeo-Sui Wars,

[612] Goguryeo repulses second Sui invasion at the Salsu.

[614] Goguryeo wins the war with Sui.

[632] Queen Seondeok of Silla becomes the peninsula's first known ruling Queen. Cheomseongdae built.

[645] Goguryeo repels attacking Tang Dynasty forces at Ansi fortress.

[648] Silla establishes alliance with Tang.

[660] Baekje falls to the Silla-Tang forces.

[668] Goguryeo falls to the Silla-Tang forces.

[676] Silla completes unification of Three Kingdoms.

[698] Goguryeo general Dae Joyeong repels Chinese forces and founding Balhae as a successor state.

[751] Silla, at its cultural peak, constructs Seokguram and Bulguksa.

[828] Jang Bogo establishes Cheonghaejin, a major center of trade with China and Japan.

[892] Silla begins to lose control of parts of the peninsula as the brief Later Three Kingdoms period begins.

[900] Hubaekje ("Later Baekje") established in the southwest of the peninsula.

[901] Taebong ("Later Goguryeo") established in the northwest of the peninsula.

[918] Founding of Goryeo by Wang Geon.

[926] Balhae falls to Khitan forces!

[935] Silla formally surrenders to Goryeo.

[936] Hubaekje formally surrenders to Goryeo.

[936] Goryeo completes the reunification of the Later Three Kingdoms

[956] Emperor Gwangjong forces major land and slavery reforms, and in 958 implements civil service examinations.

[993] The first of three Goryeo-Khitan Wars.

[1010] The Second Goryeo-Khitan War ravages the northern border.

[1018] The Third Goryeo-Khitan War, Khitan successfully repelled.

[1033] Goryeo builds the Cheonri Jangseong, a massive wall running along the northern border.

[1145] Kim Bu-sik compiles the Samguk Sagi, Korea's oldest extant history text.

[1170] A violent coup results in a military junta effectively controlling the Goryeo court for the next 88 years.

[1231] The Mongol invasions of Korea begin.

[1234] Choi Yun-ui's Sangjeong Gogeum Yemun is published, world's first metal-block printed text.

[1251] Goryeo completes the Tripitaka Koreana

[1270] Goryeo signs a peace treaty with the Mongols

[1285] Il-yeon compiles the Samguk Yusa, record of history and legends.

[1388] General Yi Seonggye, ordered to engage China in a border dispute, turns his troops against the Goryeo court.

[1392] Yi Seonggye is crowned king, officially beginning the Joseon Dynasty.

[1396] Capital moved to Hanyang (modern day Seoul)

[1402] Paper currency initiated

[1408] High military service examination system created

[1420] Hall of Worthies (집현전,集賢殿) established

[1424] History of Goryeo compiled.

[1446] The Hangul alphabet, created 3 years earlier, is promulgated by King Sejong the Great.

[1592] The Japanese invasion of Korea begins under the command of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

[1627] The first Manchu invasion takes place (정묘호란,丁卯胡亂).

[1636] The second Manchu invasion takes place (병자호란,丙子胡亂).

[1653] Dutch ship, with Captain Hendrick Hamel, wrecked on Jeju Island.

[1762] The tragedy of Crown Prince Sado (son of King Yeongjo)

[1791] Persecution of Catholicism begins

[1864] Gojong ascends the throne with his father, Daewongun, as Regent.

[1866] French campaign into Korean territory.

[1871] United States Asiatic Squadron has first military encounter with Korea in the Sinmi Yangyo.

[1876] Korea's ports are formally opened under the Treaty of Ganghwa (강화도조약,江華島條約).

[1884] Kim Okgyun leads the Gapsin Jeongbyeon.

[1894] Donghak Rebellion prompts the first Sino-Japanese War and Gabo Reforms.

[1895] China recognizes Korean independence in the Treaty of Shimonoseki(시모노세키[하완] 조약,下関條約). Queen Min was murdered by Japanese assassins.

[1896] 11 February. King Gojong flees to the Russian legation in Seoul.

[1897] 20 February. King Gojong returns to the palace after 1 year of refuge at the Russian legation.

[1907] June. The Hague Secret Emissary Affair.

[1907] July 18. Gojong was forced to abdicate in favour of his son, Sunjong.

[1909] October. Ito Hirobumi (the first Resident-General) is assassinated by Korean independence leader An Jung-geun.

[1910] August. The Japan-Korea Treaty of 1910 started the annexation of the Korean Empire by Japan.

[1916] The final wave of Uibyeong rebels is defeated by Japanese forces[citation needed].

[1919] Declaration of Korean Independence

[1919] The establishment of The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai.

[1919] Saito Makoto appointed as third Governor-General of Korea. The period of "cultural policy" begins.

[1920] Battle of Cheongsanri, Korean independence Army victory.

[1926] 10 June Manse Independence Movement.

[1932] Korean independence activist Lee Bong Chang fails in his attempt to assassinate Emperor Hirohito in Tokyo.

[1932] Korean independence activist Yun Bong Gil bombs Japanese Military gathering in Shanghai.

[1938] Beginning of the Soshi-kamei policy.

[1945] The Empire of Japan surrenders to the Allies. Korea becomes independent.

[1945] After the surrender of Japan, the Korean peninsula is divided between Soviet and American occupation forces at the 38th parallel.

[1948] 15 August. Establishment of the Republic of Korea with Syngman Rhee as President.

[1948] 25 August. Establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with Kim Il-sung as Premier.

[1950] 25 June. The Korean War begins.

[1953] The Korean War is halted by the Korean Armistice Agreement that has remained in force until now.

[1960] A student uprising begins the April Revolution which overthrows the autocratic First Republic of South Korea. Syngman Rhee resigns and goes into exile.

[1961] 16 May. Military forces, headed by General Park Chung Hee, overthrow the Second Republic of South Korea in what is known as the Military Coup d'état of 16 May

[1961] 12 November. Summit conference for normalization of Kor-Japanese relations

[1962] start of the first Five-year plans of South Korea

[1964] South Korea joined Vietnam War

[1965] 22 June. Signing of Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and the Republic of Korea. Earned both much controversy and procurement of budgets for later economic developments.

[1967] start of the second Five-year plans of South Korea

[1968] 21 January. An unsuccessful attempt of North Korean commandos to assassinate president Park Chung Hee- the Blue House Raid.

[1968] 1 April. Establishment of the Pohang Iron and Steel Company

[1968] 5 December. Proclamation of the National Education Charter

[1970] 22 April. Start of the government-operated New Community Movement

[1970] Gyeongbu Expressway (Seoul – Busan) is completed and opened to traffic.

[1972] start of the third Five-year plans of South Korea

[1972] 12 August. The first Red Cross talks between North and South Korea are held.

[1972] President Park Chung Hee declares Emergency Martial Law and changes Constitution in August, which may allow him to become the permanent ruler. This is similar to Gojong of the Korean Empire stating his country's governmental system as 'autocratic' in the

[1974] 15 August. Assassination of first lady Yuk Young-soo by self-proclaimed North Korean Mun Segwang.

[1976] 18 August. The Axe Murder Incident in Panmunjom, Joint Security Area. Triggers former North Korean leader Kim il-sung's first official apology to the South.

[1976] 12 October, Discontinuation of rice imports, accomplishment of total self-sufficiency in rice by the 'Unification Rice'

[1977] start of the fourth Five-year plans of South Korea

[1977] 22 December. Celebration of achievement of 10 billion dollars gained by exports.

[1978] 26 October. Detection of 3rd underground tunnel. Made by North Korea to attack South Korea.

[1978] 10 December. Achievement of 1,117 US dollars as GNP.

[1979] American president Jimmy Carter visits Korea. Threatens Park by stating he would reduce the US forces in Korea if he does not stop the ongoing Nuclear Weapons Development project.

[1979] 26 October, President Park Chung Hee is assassinated

[1979] Coup d'état of December Twelfth, Chun Doo Hwan gets military power

[1980] The Gwangju Uprising. Martial Law is declared throughout the nation. The city of Gwangju becomes a battleground between dissenters and the Armed Forces (18–27 May). Some reports claim over 100 casualties.

[1987] A student uprising begins the June Democracy Movement, which overthrows the autocratic Fifth Republic of South Korea. The ruling party of Fifth Republic, Democratic Justice Party, declares democratic elections.

[1988] 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul

[1990] 11 September, South Korea and the USSR establish diplomatic relations.

[1991] 17 September, North Korea (DPRK) and South Korea join the United Nations (UN).

[1992] 24 August, South Korea and the People's Republic of China (PRC) establish diplomatic relations.

[1993] Test of Rodong-1, a single stage, mobile liquid propellant medium range ballistic missile by the DPRK.

[1994] Kim Jong Il takes control of North Korea upon the death of his father Kim Il-Sung. Start of the Arduous March.

[1998] Taepodong-1, a two-stage intermediate-range ballistic missile is developed and tested by the DPRK

[1999] The DPRK promises to freeze long-range missile tests.

[2002] The 2002 FIFA World Cup jointly held by Korea & Japan.

[2004] The DPRK reaffirms moratorium.

[2005] The DPRK fires short-range missile into the East Sea.

[2006] Test of Taepodong-2 by DPRK, Nuclear test in the DPRK. US officials assert it might have been a misfire.

[2007] The second summit between DPRK and ROK leaders is held, with Roh Moo-hyun representing the south and Kim Jong Il the north.

[2011] Kim Jong Il dies