Timeline of historical geopolitical changes


This is a timeline of country and capital changes around the world. It includes dates of declarations of independence, changes in country name, changes of capital city or name, and significant changes in territory such as the annexation, cession, or secession of land.
The types of changes listed here usually include the alteration of borders, the creation and fall of states, changes of geographical names, as well as a few geographical changes caused by unusually destructive natural disasters. Through the knowledge of such dates and events, the approximate year and age of a world map could be calculated and estimated.
Not all maps of the world created during a given age or period will be the same across the globe, as different mapmakersor their employersmay have different views on the sovereignty or territorial integrity of the countries of the world or possess different levels of technological sophistication or geographical insight.
The timeline below presents its information in reverse chronological order, beginning in the modern era and working backwards.
This article uses the Common Calendar System, which was established as the new Christian Calendar by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The Common Calendar uses the designation Common Era for years starting 1 January 1 CE, and Before Common Era for years before that date. The Common Calendar also follows the ordinal numbers rather than the cardinal numbers, so there was no "year zero" in this format; that is, the date 1 January 1 CE immediately followed the date 31 December 1 BCE. For the same reason, while the 2000s began on Saturday, 1 January 2000 CE, the official Third Millennium began on Monday, 1 January 2001 CE.

21st century

2010s

YearDateEvent
201920 MarchKazakhstan changes the name of its capital from Astana to Nur-Sultan in honour of ex-President Nursultan Nazarbayev after the Constitution of Kazakhstan is amended.
201912 FebruaryThe Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia adopts the name Republic of North Macedonia as part of the Prespa agreement, under which Greece will no longer veto the country's accession to NATO and the European Union.
201824 DecemberBurundi moves its capital from Bujumbura to Gitega.
201816 DecemberGeorgia moves its legislative capital from Kutaisi back to Tbilisi.
20189 JulyEthiopia ends its occupation of Badme and returns the town to Eritrea following a peace summit, ending their 20-year border conflict.
201819 AprilThe Kingdom of Swaziland changes its name to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
20182 FebruaryThe International Court of Justice rules that a strip of northern Isla Portillos at the mouth of the San Juan River in Nicaragua belongs to Costa Rica.
20181 JanuaryBelgium and The Netherlands finalize an exchange of territory along the Meuse River. The agreement, initially signed on 28 November 2016, involves a one-for-two swap of three tiny islands, with the Netherlands gaining of land near Oost-Maarland, so that pene-exclaves caused by the straightening of the Meuse can be fixed. Presqu'ile de L'llal and Presqu'ile d'Eijsden, which were formerly Belgian, were swapped for a former Dutch piece of land, Presqu'ile Petit-Gravier.
201724 JuneEgypt transfers sovereignty of Sanafir Island and Tiran Island to Saudi Arabia.
20179 AprilFollowing a referendum, the Republic of South Ossetia changes its name to the Republic of South Ossetia – the State of Alania.
201721 FebruaryThe Nagorno-Karabakh Republic changes its name to the Republic of Artsakh a day after a constitutional referendum takes place. The Republic of Azerbaijan continues to consider Nagorno-Karabakh as part of its sovereign territory, a position shared by the United Nations.
201729 JanuaryThe Islamic Republic of The Gambia changes its name back to the Republic of The Gambia.
20162 MayThe Czech Republic votes to adopt Czechia as its official short-form name in English.
201516 DecemberThe International Court of Justice cedes 3 km2 to Costa Rica, resolving the Costa Rica–Nicaragua San Juan River border dispute with Nicaragua.
201511 DecemberBy presidential decree, the Republic of The Gambia changes its name to the Islamic Republic of The Gambia.
201512 NovemberPakistan formally agrees to lease its Gwadar Port to China until 2059.
20156 JuneIndia and Bangladesh exchange 162 enclaves along their borders, simplifying the border.
20158 MayNiger and Burkina Faso, in continuation with the implementation of the judgement of the International Court of Justice concerning the 2013 Burkina Faso–Niger Frontier Dispute case, agreed to exchange 18 towns over the following year.
201521 MarchAfter the 2014–15 Yemeni coup d'état, the capital of Yemen is provisionally moved from Sana'a to Aden.
201423 SeptemberThe maritime border between the United States and Niue was defined. The treaty was signed on 13 May 1997, but it was not ratified by the United States until at least 2002, and the United Nations stated it entered into force on this date.
201411 MayThe Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic declare their independence from Ukraine following a status referendum. Donetsk and Luhansk are proclaimed as their capitals. The referendum's results and the so-called republics' declarations were internationally unrecognized.
201418 MarchThe Republic of Crimea was annexed by the Russian Federation as two separate federal entities: the Republic of Crimea and the city of federal significance Sevastopol. Ukraine itself and much of the international community maintain that Crimea is illegally occupied by Russia and legally remains an integral region of Ukraine.
201427 JanuaryThe maritime dispute between Chile and Peru is resolved.
201324 OctoberThe Republic of Cape Verde decrees the official English-language rendering of its name to be the Republic of Cabo Verde, following precedents set by Côte d'Ivoire and Timor-Leste.
201328 SeptemberThe United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik ceases to exist with the loss of Zamboanga City.
201327 JulyThe United Federated States of Bangsamoro Republik declares independence from the Philippines and claims all of Malaysian Borneo.
201316 AprilA border dispute between Niger and Burkina Faso is finally resolved, resulting in minor changes to the previously recognized border.
20137 JanuaryThe Libyan National Congress unofficially changes the name of the country from Libya to the State of Libya, which will be used until a new constitution is adopted.
201229 NovemberThe United Nations votes to upgrade the status of Palestine from "entity" to "non-member observer state," effectively granting it recognition.
201219 NovemberJudgment of the ICJ about the maritime dispute between Nicaragua and Colombia.
201220 AugustThe Somali Republic changes its name to the Federal Republic of Somalia.
201212 JulyThe State of Azawad capitulates and is taken over by Ansar Dine, an Islamist group aiming for establishing Mali as an Islamist state, effectively being reabsorbed by the Republic of Mali.
201226 MayGeorgia moves its legislative capital from Tbilisi to Kutaisi. Tbilisi remains the administrative capital.
20126 AprilAzawad proclaims its independence from the Republic of Mali as the State of Azawad with Timbuktu as its capital.
20121 JanuaryThe Hungarian Republic changes its name to Hungary.
201131 DecemberSamoa and Tokelau switch to the western side of the International Date Line, skipping 30 December entirely.
201123 OctoberLibya supersedes the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya after its defeat at the Battle of Sirte by the National Transitional Council.
20111 SeptemberDue to the loss of Tripoli on 27 August, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya moves its capital from Tripoli to Sirte.
201127 AugustThe National Transitional Council takes over Tripoli, moving its capital from Benghazi to Tripoli.
20119 JulySouthern Sudan gains independence from Sudan as the Republic of South Sudan after a referendum the previous January, with Juba as its capital.
201127 FebruaryAfter the Libyan Civil War started on 15 February, the National Transitional Council was formed to act as "the political face of the revolution", based in Benghazi.
20112 FebruaryThe Republic of the Fiji Islands changes its name back to the Republic of Fiji.
201111 JanuaryThe People's Republic of China has received from Tajikistan after a final ratification of a treaty ceding it
201021 OctoberThe Union of Myanmar changes its name to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
201010 OctoberThe Kingdom of the Netherlands dissolves the Netherlands Antilles and makes Curaçao and Sint Maarten two of its four constituent countries. Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius become special municipalities of the Netherlands.

2000s

YearDateEvent
20091 SeptemberThe United Kingdom changes the name of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena and Dependencies to Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Jamestown on Saint Helena remains the capital.
20097 FebruaryThe Republic of Bolivia changes its name to the Plurinational State of Bolivia. La Paz and Sucre remain the capitals.
200827 AugustThe Russian Federation recognizes the independence of the Republic of South Ossetia and the Republic of Abkhazia from Georgia. Georgia and much of the international community maintain that they are both were illegally occupied by Russia during Russo-Georgian War and legally remain integral regions of Georgia. Their capitals are Tskhinval and Sukhumi, respectively.
200828 MayThe State of Nepal changes its name to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
200817 FebruaryThe Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija declares its independence from the Republic of Serbia as the Republic of Kosovo. Priština remains the capital. Serbia maintains that Kosovo remains a part of Serbia.
200722 OctoberThe Republic of Montenegro changes its name to Montenegro.
200721 FebruaryThe French Republic separates the Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Barthélemy and the Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Martin from the Overseas Region of Guadeloupe. Gustavia and Marigot are the capitals respectively.
200715 JanuaryThe Kingdom of Nepal changes its name to the State of Nepal.
20067 OctoberThe Republic of Palau moves its capital from Koror to Ngerulmud.
200614 AugustThe Federal Republic of Nigeria transfers sovereignty of Bakassi to the Republic of Cameroon.
20065 JuneThe Republic of Serbia supersedes the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Belgrade remains the capital.
20063 JuneMontenegro secedes from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro as the Republic of Montenegro. Podgorica remains the capital.
20056 NovemberThe Union of Myanmar moves its capital from Yangon to Naypyidaw.
20041 SeptemberThe Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty administering Antarctica and all lands and waters south of the 60th parallel south establishes its headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
200427 FebruaryThe French Republic elevates the Overseas Collectivity of French Polynesia to the Overseas Country of French Polynesia.
20044 JanuaryThe Islamic State of Afghanistan changes its name to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
200326 MayThe Rwandese Republic changes its name to the Republic of Rwanda.
200328 MarchThe French Republic revises its constitution. New polities include:
200328 March
200328 March
  • The Overseas Collectivity of French Polynesia. Papeetē remains the capital.
  • The Overseas Collectivity of Wallis and Futuna. Mata-Utu remains the capital.
  • 200328 March
  • The Overseas Region of Guadeloupe. Basse-Terre remains the capital.
  • The Overseas Region of Martinique. Fort-de-France remains the capital.
  • The Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Saint-Pierre remains the capital.
  • 200328 March
  • The Overseas Region of Guyane. Cayenne remains the capital.
  • 20034 FebruaryThe Federal Republic of Yugoslavia changes its name to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.
    200221 MayThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland changes the title of each of its British Dependent Territories to that of a British Overseas Territory. The citizens of each British Overseas Territory gain full British citizenship.
    200220 MayEast Timor gains independence from the Portuguese Republic as the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. East Timor was occupied by Indonesia in 1975, and was placed under United Nations administration in 1999. Dili remains the capital.
    200210 MarchThe Union of the Comoros reabsorbs the de facto independent State of Anjouan and the Democratic Republic of Mohéli. Mutsamudu and Fomboni yield to Moroni as the capital.
    200214 FebruaryThe State of Bahrain changes its name to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
    200123 DecemberThe Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros changes its name to the Union of the Comoros.
    200113 NovemberThe Islamic State of Afghanistan supersedes the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
    20011 JulyThe "temporarily independent" Puntland State of Somalia adopts a new constitution explicitly identifying itself as part of the Somali Republic. Garowe yields to Mogadishu as the capital.
    2001JanuaryTaloqan, the de facto capital of the Islamic State of Afghanistan government, falls to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The capital moves to Fayzabad.
    200016 JulySomalia changes its name to the Somali Republic.
    200011 JuneColombia returns its capital city's name from Santa Fe de Bogotá to Bogotá, Distrito Capital.
    20006 FebruaryThe Chechen Republic of Ichkeria capitulates and is reabsorbed by the Russian Federation. Ƶovxar-Ġala yields to Moscow as the capital.

    20th century

    1990s

    YearDateEvent
    199931 DecemberThe United States of America transfers full ownership of the Panama Canal Zone to the Republic of Panama.
    199920 DecemberThe Republic of Venezuela changes its name to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
    199920 DecemberThe Portuguese Republic transfers sovereignty of Macau to the People's Republic of China as the Macau Special Administrative Region.
    199910 JuneThe United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo is formed in the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
    199919 MarchThe French Republic renames its Territory of New Caledonia as the special collectivity of New Caledonia in preparation for eventual independence.
    199824 DecemberThe Republic of Bougainville is taken over by Papua New Guinea.
    199816 DecemberPart of the undefined border in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field is defined by Chile and Argentina.
    19981 AugustThe Puntland State of Somalia declares independence from the Federal Republic of Somalia. Garowe becomes its capital.
    199822 JulyThe Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji supersedes the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
    19986 MayThe Republic of Kazakhstan changes the name of its capital from Aqmola to Astana.
    199710 DecemberThe Republic of Kazakhstan moves its capital from Almaty to Aqmola.
    199711 AugustThe Democratic Republic of Mohéli declares independence from the Union of the Comoros. Fomboni becomes its capital.
    19973 AugustThe State of Anjouan declares independence from the Union of the Comoros. Mutsamudu becomes its capital.
    19974 JulyIndependent State of Western Samoa changes its name to the Independent State of Samoa.
    19971 JulyThe United Kingdom transfers sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
    199725 MayThe capital of the Islamic State of Afghanistan is moved to Taloqan from Mazar-i-Sharif.
    199717 MayThe Republic of Zaire changes its name back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    1997The Republic of the Fiji Islands changes its name to the Republic of Fiji.
    199626 SeptemberThe Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is formed, and declares its capital Kabul, captured from the Islamic State of Afghanistan, whose capital moves to Mazar-i-Sharif
    1996The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria changes the name of its capital Grozny to Dzokhar-Ghala.-
    1996The United Republic of Tanzania moves its capital from Dar-es-Salaam to Dodoma.-
    199514 DecemberThe Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina unite to form Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo remains the capital.
    199524 AugustThe Republic of Georgia is renamed Georgia.
    199522 AugustEthiopia is renamed the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
    19957 AugustThe Republic of Western Bosnia is taken over by the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    199526 JulyThe Republic of Western Bosnia declares independence from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    19951 JanuaryThe International Date Line is moved around Kiribati.
    199421 OctoberThe Laguna del Desierto, claimed by Chile, is awarded to Argentina by arbitration.
    19941 OctoberPalau gains full independence from the United States of America as the Republic of Palau. Koror is the capital.
    19947 JulyThe Democratic Republic of Yemen is reunited with Yemen.
    199421 MayThe Democratic Republic of Yemen secedes from Yemen. Aden is the capital.
    199427 AprilThe nominally independent republics of Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei are incorporated back into the Republic of South Africa.
    19941 MarchThe Republic of South Africa transfers the sovereignty of Walvis Bay and the Penguin Islands to the Republic of Namibia.
    199324 SeptemberThe restored Kingdom of Cambodia supersedes the.
    199324 MayThe State of Eritrea secedes from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Asmara is the capital.
    19935 MayThe Republic of Kyrgyzstan changes its name to the Kyrgyz Republic.
    199328 JanuaryThe Republic of Kazakhstan changes the name of its capital from Alma-Ata to Almaty.
    19931 JanuaryThe Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic gain full independence with the dissolution of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic. Prague remains the capital of the Czech Republic and Bratislava remains the capital of the Slovakia.
    19928 OctoberThe Estonian Government in Exile, a legal continuation of the formerly Soviet-occupied Republic of Estonia, is disestablished after the restoration of the constitutional order of Estonia.
    199222 SeptemberThe Republic of Kosova declares independence from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Pristina is the capital.
    199212 SeptemberThe Democratic Republic of Madagascar changes its name to the Republic of Madagascar.
    199227 AugustThe People's Republic of Angola changes its name to the Republic of Angola.
    199212 AugustThe Serbian Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is renamed the Republika Srpska.
    199223 JulyThe Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia declares its independence from Georgia as the Republic of Abkhazia. Sukhumi remains the capital. Georgia denounces the intervention of the Russian Federation and declares the succession illegal.
    199227 AprilThe Federal Republic of Yugoslavia supersedes the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
    19926 AprilThe Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina secedes from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo remains the capital.
    199215 MarchThe is taken over by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia in order to put the government-in-exile National Government of Cambodia back in power.
    199212 MarchThe Chechen Republic is renamed the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria.
    199212 FebruaryMongolia supersedes the Mongolian People's Republic.
    199215 JanuaryThe Socialist Republic of Slovenia secedes from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as the Republic of Slovenia. Ljubljana remains the capital.
    199215 JanuaryThe Socialist Republic of Croatia secedes from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as the Republic of Croatia. Zagreb remains the capital.
    199212 JanuaryThe Nagorno-Karabakh Republic declares independence from the Republic of Azerbaijan.
    199126 DecemberThe Soviet of the Republics of the Supreme Soviet meets for the last time and formally dissolves the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    199125 DecemberThe Russian Federation supersedes both the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
    199116 DecemberThe Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata remains the capital until 1997.
    199112 DecemberThe Federal Republic of Nigeria moves its capital from Lagos to Abuja.
    19918 DecemberThe Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, the Republic of Belarus, and Ukraine form the Commonwealth of Independent States as a successor organization to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    19918 DecemberThe Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as Turkmenistan. Ashgabat remains the capital.
    19918 DecemberThe Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Uzbekistan. Tashkent remains the capital.
    199128 NovemberThe South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast declares its independence from Georgia as the Republic of South Ossetia. Tskhinvali is the capital. Georgia denounces the intervention of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and declares the succession illegal.
    19911 NovemberThe Chechen Republic declares independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Grozny is the capital
    199121 SeptemberThe Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Armenia. Yerevan remains the capital.
    19919 SeptemberThe Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Tajikistan. Dushanbe remains the capital.
    19918 SeptemberThe Socialist Republic of Macedonia secedes from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as the Republic of Macedonia. Skopje remains the capital. The Hellenic Republic protests the name of the new nation.
    19916 SeptemberThe Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and restores the Republic of Lithuania. Vilnius remains the capital.
    19912 SeptemberThe Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast declares its independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Stepanakert remains the capital. The Republic of Azerbaijan considers Nagorno-Karabakh as part of its sovereign territory.
    199131 AugustThe Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The capital Frunze is renamed Bishkek.
    199130 AugustThe Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Azerbaijan. Baku remains the capital.
    199127 AugustThe Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Moldova. Chişinău remains the capital. Moldova claims Transnistria as part of its sovereign territory.
    199125 AugustThe Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Belarus. Minsk remains the capital.
    199124 AugustThe Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as Ukraine. Kiev remains the capital.
    199121 AugustThe Republic of Latvia secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and restores the Republic of Latvia. Riga remains the capital.
    199120 AugustThe Republic of Estonia secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and restores the Republic of Estonia. Tallinn remains the capital.
    199119 AugustThe Gagauz Republic declares independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    199110 JuneThe People's Republic of the Congo is renamed the Republic of the Congo.
    199128 MayThe People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is renamed Ethiopia.
    199118 MayThe Republic of Somaliland declares independence from the Federal Republic of Somalia. Hargeisa is the capital. The international community considers Somaliland to be part of Somalia's sovereign territory.
    199129 AprilThe Republic of Albania supersedes the Socialist People's Republic of Albania.
    19919 AprilThe Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic secedes from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as Georgia. Tbilisi remains the capital.
    199126 FebruaryThe State of Kuwait regains its independence. Iraq relinquishes its claim to Kuwait.
    19901 DecemberThe Republic of Mozambique supersedes the People's Republic of Mozambique. Maputo remains the capital.
    199015 NovemberThe People's Republic of Bulgaria changes its name to the Republic of Bulgaria.
    19903 OctoberThe German Democratic Republic merges into the Federal Republic of Germany. Unified Germany regains full sovereignty and Allied occupation ends. Bonn yields to Berlin as the capital.
    19902 SeptemberThe Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic declares its independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Tiraspol becomes its capital.
    199028 AugustIraq annexes the Republic of Kuwait as the Kuwait Governorate.
    199025 AugustThe Republic of Abkhazia declares independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Sukhumi is the capital.
    19904 AugustThe State of Kuwait changes its name to the Republic of Kuwait.
    199027 JulyThe Byelorussian SSR declares sovereignty from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as the Republic of Belarus.
    199025 JulyThe Republic of Fiji is renamed the Sovereign Democratic Republic of Fiji.
    199022 MayThe Yemen Arab Republic and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen reunite to form the Republic of Yemen. Aden yields to San'a' as the capital.
    199017 MayThe Republic of Bougainville declares independence from Papua New Guinea. Buka is the capital.
    19908 MayThe Estonian SSR is renamed the Republic of Estonia.
    19904 MayThe Latvian SSR is renamed the Republic of Latvia and it declares Soviet rule illegal and declares the restoration period for the independence of Latvia from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    199023 AprilThe Czechoslovak Socialist Republic changes its name to the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic.
    199030 MarchThe Estonian SSR declares Soviet rule illegal and declares the restoration period for the independence of Estonia from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    199021 MarchSouth West Africa gains independence from South Africa as the Republic of Namibia. Windhoek remains the capital.
    199011 MarchThe Republic of Chile moves its legislative capital from Santiago to Valparaíso. Santiago remains the administrative capital.
    199011 MarchThe Lithuanian SSR re-declares full independence as the Republic of Lithuania from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Vilnius remains the capital.
    19901 MarchThe People's Republic of Benin changes its name to the Republic of Benin.
    19903 FebruaryThe government-in-exile Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea becomes the National Government of Cambodia.

    1980s

    YearDateEvent
    198930 DecemberThe Polish People's Republic changes its name to the Republic of Poland.
    198922 DecemberThe Romanian Revolution. The Socialist Republic of Romania changes its name to Romania.
    198923 OctoberThe Hungarian People's Republic changes its name to the Hungarian Republic.
    198930 SeptemberThe Republic of Senegal and the Republic of The Gambia secede from the Senegambia Confederation. Dakar remains the capital of Senegal. Banjul is again the capital of The Gambia.
    198926 SeptemberThe Socialist Republic of Vietnam ends its occupation of the '.
    198918 JuneThe Union of Burma changes its name to the Union of Myanmar.
    1989The Federated States of Micronesia moves its capital from Kolonia to Palikir on Pohnpei.-
    19891 MayThe ' supersedes the People's Republic of Kampuchea.
    198915 FebruaryThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ends its occupation of the Republic of Afghanistan.
    198816 NovemberThe Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic declares sovereignty over the laws of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
    198815 NovemberThe State of Palestine declares independence from the State of Israel. It claims the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, territories considered to be occupied by Israel in the aftermath of the Six-Day War. East Jerusalem is the proclaimed capital.
    198818 SeptemberThe Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma changes its name to the Union of Burma.
    198730 NovemberThe Republic of Afghanistan supersedes the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
    19877 OctoberThe Republic of Fiji supersedes the Dominion of Fiji.
    198722 FebruaryThe People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia supersedes the Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia.
    19871 JanuaryNew Zealand becomes a fully, sovereign independent state from the United Kingdom after the passing of the Constitution Act.
    19864 NovemberThe Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands becomes an insular area of the United States dissolving the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
    19863 NovemberThe eastern Caroline Islands gain independence from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands as the Federated States of Micronesia. Kolonia on Pohnpei is the capital.
    198621 OctoberThe Marshall Islands gain independence from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands as the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Majuro is the capital.
    198615 AprilThe Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya is renamed the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
    19863 MarchThe Commonwealth of Australia becomes a fully, sovereign independent state from the United Kingdom after the passing of the Australia Act.
    19861 JanuaryAruba leaves the Netherlands Antilles to become one of three constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands following a change of the Charter for the Kingdom. Oranjestad is the capital.
    198512 OctoberThe Republic of Côte d'Ivoire supersedes the Republic of Ivory Coast.
    198510 OctoberThe Republic of the Sudan supersedes the Democratic Republic of the Sudan.
    19853 OctoberIn the Falkland Islands disputed by Argentina and the United Kingdom, the Falkland Islands Dependencies becomes a separate territory known as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
    198429 NovemberThe Beagle conflict between Chile and Argentina is solved. Argentina recognizes Picton, Lennox and Nueva islands as Chilean.
    198415 AugustBourkina-Fasso changes its name to Burkina Faso.
    19844 AugustThe Republic of Upper Volta changes its name to Bourkina-Fasso.
    19844 FebruaryThe Republic of Cameroon supersedes the United Republic of Cameroon.
    19841 JanuaryBrunei gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace. Bandar Seri Begawan remains the capital.
    198315 NovemberThe Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus declares independence from the Republic of Cyprus. North Nicosia is the capital. The international community considers the northern part of the island as Republic of Cyprus territory under Turkish occupation.
    198319 SeptemberThe British Dependent Territory of Saint Christopher and Nevis gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Basseterre remains the capital.
    198321 MarchThe Republic of Ivory Coast moves its capital from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro.
    19831 JanuaryThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland changes the title of each of its Crown Colonies to that of a British Dependent Territory.
    198215 AugustThe unrecognized Kingdom of Rwenzururu is taken back by Uganda.
    198222 JuneDemocratic Kampuchea becomes exiled from Kampuchea, despite being a widely recognized UN member state, becomes the Coalition Government of Democratic Kampuchea.
    198214 JuneThe United Kingdom recaptures the British dependent territory of the Falkland Islands from the Argentine Republic. Britain restores the name of the capital Puerto Argentino to Stanley.
    198229 AprilThe Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka moves its capital from Colombo to Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte.
    198217 AprilCanada becomes a fully sovereign, independent state from the United Kingdom after the passing of the Canada Act.
    198218 AprilThe Republic of Zimbabwe changes many colonial place names including that of its capital from Salisbury to Harare.
    19822 AprilThe Argentine Republic seizes the British dependent territory of the Falkland Islands from the United Kingdom. Argentina renames the Islands Islas Malvinas and Stanley the capital Puerto Argentino.
    19821 FebruaryThe Republic of Senegal and the Republic of The Gambia unite to form the Senegambia Confederation. Banjul yields to Dakar as the capital.
    198126 DecemberThe Saudi-Iraqi neutral zone ceases to exist as the border between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is fixed.
    19814 DecemberThe Republic of Ciskei is declared independent by the Republic of South Africa.
    19811 NovemberAntigua and Barbuda gain independence from the United Kingdom. St. John's remains the capital.
    198121 SeptemberThe Crown Colony of Belize gains independence from the United Kingdom. Belmopan remains the capital.
    198019 DecemberThe United Kingdom divides the Crown Colony of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla into the Crown Colony of Saint Christopher and Nevis and the Crown Colony of Anguilla. Basseterre remains the capital of Saint Christopher and Nevis, and The Valley becomes the capital of Anguilla.
    198030 JulyThe New Hebrides gain independence from a British-French condominium as the Republic of Vanuatu. Port Vila remains the capital.
    198030 JulyIsrael passes the Jerusalem Law, expanding its declared capital of Jerusalem to include the annexed East Jerusalem. The United Nations declares the law null and void.
    198028 JulyPeruvian Republic changes its name to the Republic of Peru.
    198024 JulyThe Republic of Vemerana is taken back over by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.
    198027 MayThe Republic of Vemerana declares independence from the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.
    198026 MayTafea is taken back over by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.
    198018 AprilSouthern Rhodesia gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Republic of Zimbabwe. Salisbury remains the capital.
    198015 FebruaryTafea declares independence from the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.

    1970s

    YearDateEvent
    197925 DecemberThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics occupies the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.
    197912 DecemberThe Republic of Zimbabwe Rhodesia is dissolved as the United Kingdom regains control of Southern Rhodesia.
    197927 OctoberSaint Vincent and the Grenadines gain independence from the United Kingdom. Kingstown remains the capital.
    19791 OctoberThe United States of America dissolves the Panama Canal Zone and returns sovereignty to the Republic of Panama. The United States and Panama will jointly operate the Panama Canal until 31 December 1999.
    197920 SeptemberThe Central African Empire changes its name back to the Central African Republic.
    197913 SeptemberThe Republic of Venda is given independence by South Africa. Thohoyandou is the capital.
    197912 JulyThe Gilbert Islands gain independence from the United Kingdom as the Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati. South Tarawa remains the capital.
    19791 JuneThe Republic of Zimbabwe Rhodesia supersedes the Republic of Rhodesia, although neither are recognized.
    19791 AprilIran changes its name to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
    197926 MarchIsrael agrees to return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.
    197922 FebruarySaint Lucia gains independence from the United Kingdom. Castries remains the capital.
    197911 FebruaryThe Imperial State of Iran changes its name to Iran.
    197910 JanuaryThe People's Republic of Kampuchea supersedes Democratic Kampuchea.
    19797 JanuaryThe Socialist Republic of Vietnam occupies Democratic Kampuchea.
    197829 DecemberAfter a transition to democracy, the Spanish State is renamed the Kingdom of Spain.
    19783 NovemberDominica gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Commonwealth of Dominica. Roseau remains the capital.
    19785 OctoberThe State of Comoros changes its name to the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros.
    19781 OctoberTuvalu gains independence from the United Kingdom. Funafuti remains the capital.
    19787 SeptemberThe Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka changes its name to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
    19787 JulyThe Solomon Islands gain independence from the United Kingdom. Honiara on Guadalcanal remains the capital.
    197830 AprilThe Democratic Republic of Afghanistan supersedes the Republic of Afghanistan.
    19776 DecemberThe Republic of Bophuthatswana is declared independent by South Africa. Mmabatho is the capital.
    197727 JuneThe French Territory of the Afars and the Issas gains independence from the French Republic as the Republic of Djibouti. The city of Djibouti remains the capital.
    19772 MarchThe Libyan Arab Republic changes its name to the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
    197628 DecemberThe Socialist People's Republic of Albania supersedes the People's Republic of Albania.
    19764 DecemberThe Central African Republic changes its name to the Central African Empire.
    197626 OctoberThe Republic of Transkei is given independence by South Africa. Mthatha is the capital.
    19767 AugustThe Republic of North Solomons is taken by Papua New Guinea.
    197617 JulyThe Republic of Indonesia declares that East Timor is the Indonesian Province of Timor Timur.
    19762 JulyThe Democratic Republic of Vietnam and Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam unite to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City yields to Hanoi as the capital.
    19761 JulyThe French Republic reorganizes its Overseas Territory of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon to the Overseas Department of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Saint-Pierre remains the capital.
    197629 JuneThe Seychelles become independent from the United Kingdom as the Republic of Seychelles. Victoria remains the capital.
    197624 JuneThe Republic of the Philippines reinstates Manila as the capital. Quezon City, the capital from 1948, was incorporated with Manila and 15 surrounding suburbs to form Metro Manila. Baguio is no longer a summer capital.
    197623 JuneIn the British Indian Ocean Territory, the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches are returned to Seychelles six days before its independence.
    19761 MarchTrinidad and Tobago is renamed the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
    197627 FebruaryThe Polisario Front declares the creation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in the region known as Western Sahara. Laayoune is the proclaimed capital, while Tifariti serves as the temporary capital. Morocco considers the SADR part of its sovereign territory, while the United Nations considers Spain the administering state.
    19763 FebruaryThe People's Republic of Mozambique changes the name of its capital from Lourenço Marques to Maputo.
    197530 DecemberThe Malagasy Republic changes its name to the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.
    19757 DecemberThe Republic of Indonesia invades East Timor.
    19752 DecemberThe Lao People's Democratic Republic supersedes the Kingdom of Laos.
    197530 NovemberThe Republic of Dahomey changes its name to the People's Republic of Benin.
    197528 NovemberThe Portuguese colony of East Timor declares its independence from the Portuguese Republic as the Democratic Republic of East Timor. Dili remains the capital. Portugal and most other nations refuse to recognize the new government.
    197525 NovemberSuriname gains full independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Republic of Suriname. Paramaribo remains the capital.
    197522 NovemberThe restored Kingdom of Spain supersedes the Spanish State.
    197511 NovemberDue to Angola achieving independence, Angolan Forces invaded the Republic of Cabinda, successfully taking it back.
    197514 NovemberThe Spanish State relinquishes control of Spanish Sahara. Both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania annex the region, now known as Western Sahara.
    197511 NovemberThe State of Angola gains independence from the Portuguese Republic as the People's Republic of Angola. Luanda remains the capital.
    197516 SeptemberThe Territory of Papua and New Guinea gains independence from the Commonwealth of Australia as the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby remains the capital.
    19751 SeptemberThe Republic of North Solomons declares independence from Australia. Buka is the capital.
    19751 AugustThe Republic of Cabinda declares independence from Portugal with little recognition. Cabinda is the capital.
    197512 JulySão Tomé and Príncipe gain independence from the Portuguese Republic as the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. The city of São Tomé remains the capital.
    19756 JulyThe Comoros gain independence from the French Republic as the State of Comoros. Moroni on Grande Comore remains the capital.
    19755 JulyCabo Verde gains independence from the Portuguese Republic as the Republic of Cape Verde. Praia on Santiago remains the capital.
    197525 JuneMozambique gains independence from the Portuguese Republic as the People's Republic of Mozambique. Lourenço Marques remains the capital.
    197516 MayThe Kingdom of Sikkim unites with India as the State of Sikkim.
    197530 AprilThe Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam supersedes the Republic of Vietnam. The name of the capital is changed from Saigon to Ho Chi Minh City.
    1975The capital of Malawi is moved from Zomba to Lilongwe.
    197517 AprilDemocratic Kampuchea supersedes the Khmer Republic.
    197413 DecemberThe Republic of Malta supersedes the State of Malta.
    197419 OctoberNiue becomes a state in free association with New Zealand, sharing New Zealand citizenship.
    197410 SeptemberThe Republic of Guinea changes its name to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and moves its capital from Madina do Boe to Bissau. The Portuguese Republic recognizes the independence of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
    197416 AugustThe Turkish army reaches the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus, gaining about 40% of the territory of the island of Cyprus, after the invasion started on 20 July.
    197429 JuneThe Tanna Nation is taken back by the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.
    197428 JuneThe Provisional Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia supersedes the Ethiopian Empire.
    197424 MarchThe Tanna Nation declares independence from the Anglo-French New Hebrides Condominium.
    197422 FebruaryThe Islamic Republic of Pakistan recognizes the independence of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.
    19747 FebruaryGrenada gains independence from the United Kingdom. St. George's remains the capital.
    19744 JanuaryThe Union of Burma changes its name to the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma.
    197319 NovemberUruguay recognizes Martín García Island as Argentine.
    197324 SeptemberPortuguese Guinea declares its independence from the Portuguese Republic as the Republic of Guinea. Recognition is limited. Madina do Boe is the temporary capital.
    197317 JulyThe Republic of Afghanistan supersedes the Kingdom of Afghanistan.
    197310 JulyThe Bahamas gain independence from the United Kingdom as the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Nassau remains the capital.
    197310 JulyThe United Kingdom changes the name of its Crown Colony of British Honduras to the Crown Colony of Belize.
    19731 JuneThe Kingdom of Greece is renamed the Hellenic Republic.
    1973In The Gambia, the capital of Bathurst is renamed Banjul.
    19722 JuneThe United Republic of Cameroon supersedes the Federal Republic of Cameroon.
    197222 MayThe Dominion of Ceylon changes its name to the Free, Sovereign and Independent Republic of Sri Lanka.
    197214 MayThe Ryukyu Islands are returned to Japan.
    197210 FebruaryThe emirate of Ras al-Khaimah joins the United Arab Emirates. The city of Ras al-Khaimah yields to Abu Dhabi as the capital.
    197210 FebruaryThe Island of Rockall Act 1972 formally incorporates Rockall into the United Kingdom.
    1972The capital of Indonesia, Djakarta, is renamed Jakarta.
    19712 DecemberThe Trucial States gain full independence from the United Kingdom as the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi is the capital.
    197127 OctoberThe Democratic Republic of the Congo changes its name to the Republic of Zaire.
    197125 OctoberThe Republic of China was replaced in the United Nations by the People's Republic of China.
    19713 SeptemberQatar gains full independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Qatar. Doha remains the capital.
    19711 SeptemberThe Arab Republic of Egypt supersedes the United Arab Republic.
    197116 AugustBahrain gains full independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Bahrain. Manama remains the capital.
    197119 AprilSierra Leone is renamed the Republic of Sierra Leone.
    197126 MarchThe People's Republic of Bangladesh declares its independence from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Dhaka is the capital.
    19701 DecemberThe People's Republic of South Yemen changes its name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.
    197010 OctoberFiji gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Dominion of Fiji. Suva remains the capital.
    19709 AugustThe Sultanate of Muscat and Oman is renamed the Sultanate of Oman.
    19701 AugustThe United Kingdom moves the capital of the Crown Colony of British Honduras from Belize City to Belmopan.
    19704 JuneThe Kingdom of Tonga gains full independence from the United Kingdom. Nukualofa remains the capital.
    19704 JuneThe Gambia is renamed the Republic of the Gambia.
    197018 MarchThe Khmer Republic supersedes the Kingdom of Cambodia.
    19702 MarchRhodesia unilaterally declares itself the Republic of Rhodesia.
    19702 MarchGuyana is renamed the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
    197015 JanuaryThe Republic of Biafra capitulates and is reabsorbed by the military junta controlled Federal Republic of Nigeria. Enugu falls to Lagos.
    19703 JanuaryThe Republic of the Congo is renamed the People's Republic of the Congo.

    1960s

    YearDateEvent
    196918 DecemberThe Saudi–Kuwaiti neutral zone is divided and the border between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait is defined.
    196921 OctoberThe Somali Democratic Republic supersedes the Somali Republic.
    19691 SeptemberFollowing a coup d'état led by Muammar Gaddafi, the Kingdom of Libya becomes the Libyan Arab Republic.
    196925 MayThe Democratic Republic of the Sudan supersedes the Republic of the Sudan.
    196919 MarchThe Republic of Anguilla is taken back by the United Kingdom.
    19694 JanuaryIfni is ceded to Morocco.
    196811 NovemberThe Republic of Maldives supersedes the Sultanate of Maldives.
    196812 OctoberSpanish Guinea gains independence from the Spanish State as the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Malabo remains the capital.
    19686 SeptemberThe Kingdom of Swaziland gains full independence from the United Kingdom. Mbabane is the capital.
    196826 JuneThe Allied-occupied Bonin-Volcano Islands are given back to Japan.
    196812 MarchMauritius gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Republic of Mauritius. Port Louis remains the capital.
    196831 JanuaryNauru gains independence from a United Nations trusteeship jointly administered by the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom as the Republic of Nauru. Yaren remains the de facto capital.
    19677 NovemberSouth Yemen declares its independence from the United Kingdom as the People's Republic of South Yemen. Aden is the capital.
    196720 SeptemberThe Republic of Benin is taken over by Nigeria.
    196719 SeptemberThe Republic of Benin becomes a puppet state that has no recognition from the parent state.
    19678 SeptemberUganda is renamed the Republic of Uganda.
    196717 AugustBiafra takes over the Benin region.
    196714 AugustThe capital of Pakistan is moved from Rawalpindi to Islamabad.
    196712 JulyThe Republic of Anguilla declares independence from the United Kingdom.
    19675 JulyFrench Somaliland is renamed the French Territory of the Afars and Issas.
    196710 JuneIsrael captures the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from the United Arab Republic, the West Bank from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria as a result of the Six-Day War.
    196730 MayThe Republic of Biafra secedes from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Enugu is the capital. Recognized by Gabon, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and Zambia.
    196724 JanuaryThe Republic of the United States of Brazil changes its name to the Federative Republic of Brazil.
    196630 NovemberBarbados gains independence from the United Kingdom. Bridgetown remains the capital.
    196628 NovemberThe Republic of Burundi supersedes the Kingdom of Burundi.
    196624 NovemberThe Río Encuentro-Alto Palena Dispute between the Republic of Chile and the Argentine Republic is defined by arbitration by Elizabeth II.
    19664 OctoberThe Crown Colony of the Territory of Basutoland gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Kingdom of Lesotho. Maseru remains the capital.
    196630 SeptemberBechuanaland gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Republic of Botswana. Gaborone remains the capital.
    19666 JulyNyasaland gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Republic of Malawi. Lilongwe remains the capital.
    196630 JuneThe Democratic Republic of the Congo changes the name of its capital from Léopoldville to Kinshasa.
    196626 MayThe Crown Colony of British Guiana gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. Georgetown remains the capital.
    196511 NovemberThe Cabinet of Southern Rhodesia issues its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom as Rhodesia, which goes unrecognized. Salisbury remains the capital.
    19658 NovemberThe United Kingdom creates the British Indian Ocean Territory from the Chagos Archipelago in Mauritius and the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches from Seychelles, as Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago.
    196521 AugustThe Romanian People's Republic changes its name to Socialist Republic of Romania.
    19659 AugustThe Republic of Singapore secedes from Malaysia. Singapore remains the capital.
    19654 AugustThe Cook Islands become a state in free association with New Zealand, sharing citizenship.
    196526 JulyThe British Protectorate over the Sultanate of Maldives ends. Male remains the capital.
    196518 FebruaryThe Gambia gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Republic of the Gambia. Banjul remains the capital.
    196412 DecemberKenya is renamed the Republic of Kenya.
    19641 NovemberThe United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar changes its name to the United Republic of Tanzania.
    196424 OctoberNorthern Rhodesia gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Republic of Zambia. Lusaka remains the capital.
    196421 SeptemberThe Crown Colony of Malta gains independence from the United Kingdom as the State of Malta. Valletta remains the capital.
    19641 AugustThe Republic of the Congo changes its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    19646 JulyMalawi gains independence from the United Kingdom. Lilongwe remains the capital.
    196426 AprilThe Republic of Tanganyika and the Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba unite to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Zanzibar City yields to Dar-es-Salaam as the capital.
    19644 MarchThe United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus is established in the Republic of Cyprus between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
    196331 DecemberThe Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is divided into Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.
    196315 DecemberThe Spanish colonies of Fernando Pó and Río Muni merge to form Spanish Guinea.
    196312 DecemberThe Republic of Kenya gains independence from the United Kingdom. Nairobi remains the capital.
    196310 DecemberIndependence of the Sultanate of Zanzibar from the United Kingdom.
    19631 OctoberThe Federation of Nigeria is renamed the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    196323 SeptemberThe United Suvadive Republic is reunited with the Sultanate of Maldives. Hithadhoo yields to Male as the capital.
    196316 SeptemberThe Federation of Malaya unites with the British colonies of Singapore, Sarawak, and British North Borneo to form Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur remains the capital.
    196331 AugustThe Republic of Singapore gains independence from the United Kingdom.
    196330 JuneThe Kingdom of Rwenzururu declares independence from Uganda with no recognition.
    19631 MayThe United Nations Temporary Executive Authority in New Guinea is transferred to Indonesia.
    196325 AprilThe Kingdom of Libya supersedes the United Kingdom of Libya.
    19637 AprilThe Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia changes its name to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
    19633 MarchThe disputed area of the Trans-Karakoram Tract is given to China by Pakistan, although India still claims it.
    196315 JanuaryKatanga is taken back by Congo.
    1963The Republic of Zanzibar and Pemba gains independence from the United Kingdom. Zanzibar City remains the capital.-
    19629 DecemberTanganyika is renamed the Republic of Tanganyika.
    196221 NovemberThe disputed area of the Aksai Chin is given to China by Pakistan, although India still claims it.
    196214 NovemberEritrea becomes a province of the Ethiopian Empire, losing the autonomy it had under federation.
    19629 OctoberThe Republic of Uganda gains independence from the United Kingdom. Kampala remains the capital.
    19621 OctoberNetherlands New Guinea is transferred to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority.
    196227 SeptemberMutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen is overthrown by the Yemen Arab Republic. San'a becomes the capital.
    196226 SeptemberThe capital of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen is moved from Ta'izz to Sana'a.
    196225 SeptemberAlgeria becomes the People's Democratic Algerian Republic.
    196231 AugustThe Republic of Trinidad and Tobago gains independence from the United Kingdom. Port of Spain remains the capital.
    19626 AugustThe United Kingdom creates the Crown Colony of the Cayman Islands. George Town is the capital.
    19626 AugustThe Crown Colony of Jamaica gains independence from the United Kingdom. Kingston remains the capital.
    19623 JulyThe French overseas department of Algeria gains independence from the French Republic. Algiers remains the capital.
    19621 JulyThe Kingdom of Burundi and the Republic of Rwanda gain independence from the Kingdom of Belgium. Bujumbura and Kigali are the respective capitals.
    196231 MayThe West Indies Federation is dissolved and member states return to their status as parts of the British West Indies. Chaguaramas yields to London as the capital. Changes include the following:
    • The Cayman Islands are split from Jamaica.
    • Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands become their own separate British colonies.
    • The British Leeward Islands are further dissolved into the British colonies of Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
    • The British Windward Islands are further dissolved into the British colonies of Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
    19623 MarchThe United Kingdom officially gives the territory claimed in Antarctica an entity, the British Antarctic Territory, although this is suspended under the Antarctic Treaty.
    19621 JanuaryThe Independent State of Western Samoa gains independence from New Zealand. Apia remains the capital.
    196128 DecemberThe Syrian Arab Republic secedes from the United Arab Republic, leaving Egypt as the sole member of the federation. Cairo remains the capital of the UAR. Damascus is again the capital of Syria.
    196119 DecemberThe Republic of India annexes Goa, Daman and Diu from Portuguese India.
    19619 DecemberThe Republic of Tanganyika gains independence from the United Kingdom. Dar-es-Salaam remains the capital.
    19611 DecemberThe Netherlands New Guinea is renamed West Papua.
    19611 OctoberThe southern portion of the British Cameroons gains independence from the United Kingdom and unites with the Republic of Cameroun to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Yaoundé remains the capital.
    196128 SeptemberIn the United Arab States, Syria leaves the United Arab Republic and returns to the name of the Syrian Arab Republic.
    196128 SeptemberThe Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli joins India, as Portugal ceases to claim it.
    196128 SeptemberPortugal cedes São João Baptista de Ajudá to Dahomey.
    196128 SeptemberPortuguese fort São João Baptista de Ajudá is annexed by Dahomey.
    196123 JuneThe Antarctic Treaty System enters force to administer the continent of Antarctica and all lands and waters south of the 60th parallel south.
    196119 JuneThe State of Kuwait gains independence from the United Kingdom. Kuwait City remains the capital.
    196131 MayThe Union of South Africa ceases to be a Commonwealth realm and changes its name to the Republic of South Africa. Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein remain the capitals.
    196131 MayNorthern British Cameroon joins Nigeria.
    196127 AprilThe Republic of Sierra Leone gains independence from the United Kingdom. Freetown remains the capital.
    196114 JanuaryIndia annexes Portuguese India, and Portugal maintains its claims to it.
    196028 NovemberThe Islamic Republic of Mauritania gains independence from the French Republic. Nouakchott remains the capital.
    19601 OctoberThe Federation of Nigeria gains independence from the United Kingdom. Lagos remains the capital.
    196022 SeptemberThe Republic of Mali gains independence from the French Republic. Bamako remains the capital.
    196020 AugustThe Republic of Senegal gains independence from the French Republic. Dakar remains the capital.
    196017 AugustThe Gabonese Republic gains independence from the French Republic. Libreville remains the capital.
    196016 AugustThe Republic of Cyprus gains independence from the United Kingdom. Lefkosia remains the capital. The United Kingdom retains control of Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
    196015 AugustThe Republic of the Congo gains independence from the French Republic. Brazzaville remains the capital.
    196013 AugustThe Central African Republic gains independence from the French Republic. Bangui remains the capital.
    196011 AugustThe Republic of Chad gains independence from the French Republic. N'Djamena remains the capital.
    19607 AugustThe Côte d'Ivoire gains independence from the French Republic. Abidjan remains the capital.
    19605 AugustThe Republic of Upper Volta gains independence from the French Republic. Ouagadougou remains the capital.
    19603 AugustThe Republic of Niger gains independence from the French Republic. Niamey remains the capital.
    19601 AugustThe Republic of Dahomey gains independence from the French Republic. Porto-Novo remains the capital.
    19601 AugustThe capital of Pakistan is moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi.
    196011 JulyThe Czechoslovak Republic changes its name to the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
    196011 JulyThe State of Katanga declares independence from the Republic of the Congo with no recognition.
    19601 JulyThe Somali Republic is created from a merger of the former colonies of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland. Mogadishu is the capital.
    196030 JuneThe Belgian Congo gains independence from the Kingdom of Belgium as the Republic of the Congo. Léopoldville remains the capital.
    196026 JuneThe Malagasy Republic gains independence from the French Republic. Antananarivo remains the capital.
    196020 JuneIndependence of French Sudan from France with Senegal as the Mali Federation.
    196027 AprilThe Togolese Republic gains independence from the French Republic. Lomé remains the capital.
    196021 AprilThe Republic of the United States of Brazil moves its capital from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília.
    19601 JanuaryThe Republic of Cameroun gains independence from the French Republic. Yaoundé remains the capital.
    1960The British Virgin Islands become a separate colony from the West Indies Federation.

    1950s

    YearDateEvent
    19594 JulyIn the West Indies Federation, the Turks and Caicos Islands become a separate colony from Jamaica.
    195930 JuneFernando Pó and Río Muni are merged to form Spanish Guinea.
    19594 AprilIn French Africa, the colonies of Senegal and Soudan merge to form the Mali Federation.
    19593 JanuaryThe United Suvadive Republic secedes from the Sultanate of Maldives. Hithadhoo is the capital.
    195819 DecemberThe French Colony of Niger joins the French Community.
    195811 DecemberThe French Colony of Upper Volta joins the French Community.
    19588 DecemberSovereignty over Gwadar is transferred from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman to Pakistan.
    19584 DecemberThe French Colony of Dahomey joins the French Community.
    19584 DecemberThe French Colony of Ivory Coast joins the French Community.
    19581 DecemberThe French Colony of Ubangi-Shari joins the French Community as the Central African Republic.
    195828 NovemberThe following French colonies join the newly created French Community:
    • Chad
    • Congo
    • Gabon
    • Mauritania
    • Senegal
    • French Sudan
    195815 OctoberThe Malagasy Republic gains autonomy within the French Community. Antananarivo is the capital.
    19582 OctoberThe Republic of Guinea gains independence from the French Republic. Conakry is the capital.
    19581 OctoberSovereignty over Christmas Island is transferred from the United Kingdom to Australia.
    195814 JulyThe Republic of Iraq and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan are created from the dissolution of the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan. Baghdad remains the capital of Iraq. Amman is again the capital of Jordan.
    195810 AprilSpanish West Africa is disestablished:
  • The province of Ifni becomes a separate colony.
  • The province of Cape Juby is ceded to Morocco.
  • The provinces of Río de Oro and Saguia el-Hamra become Spanish Sahara.
  • 19588 MarchThe United Arab States are created from Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen and the United Arab Republic.
    195822 FebruaryThe Egyptian Republic and the Syrian Arab Republic unite to form the United Arab Republic. Damascus yields to Cairo as the capital.
    195822 FebruaryThe French-administered United Nations Trust Territory of French Togoland is renamed Togo.
    195814 FebruaryThe Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan unite to form the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan. Amman yields to Baghdad as the capital.
    195812 JanuaryIfni is separated from Spanish West Africa.
    19583 JanuaryThe United Kingdom establishes the West Indies Federation as a federation of most of the British West Indies, excluding the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. The de jure capital is Chaguaramas on Trinidad and the de facto capital is Port of Spain on Trinidad.
    195731 AugustThe Federation of Malaya gains independence from the United Kingdom. Kuala Lumpur is the capital.
    195714 AugustThe Sherifian Empire is renamed the Kingdom of Morocco.
    195725 JulyThe Tunisian Realm is renamed the Tunisian Republic.
    19576 MarchThe Republic of Ghana gains independence from the United Kingdom. Accra is the capital.
    19571 JanuarySaar is given to West Germany as the state of Saarland.
    195613 DecemberBritish Togoland is merged into the Gold Coast.
    195629 OctoberThe Tangier International Zone under joint administration of France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium is reintegrated into Morocco.
    195618 JuneThe Egyptian Republic declares its complete independence from the United Kingdom.
    19567 AprilSpanish Morocco becomes part of Morocco.
    195623 MarchPakistan adopts a new constitution and changes its name to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
    195620 MarchThe Tunisian Republic gains independence from the French Republic. Tunis is the capital.
    19562 MarchThe Kingdom of Morocco gains independence from the French Republic. Rabat is the capital.
    19561 JanuaryThe Republic of Sudan gains independence from the United Kingdom. Khartoum is the capital. Egypt relinquishes its claim to Sudan.
    1955The Kingdom of Bhutan makes Thimphu the sole capital.
    195520 DecemberCardiff is recognised as the official capital of Wales. From 1689-1955 the country did not have an official capital. Its last capital, Ludlow, had been the last administrative capital and seat of the Council of Wales and the Marches from 1472 and 1689.
    195523 NovemberThe United Kingdom gives the Cocos Islands to Australia.
    195526 OctoberThe State of Vietnam is renamed the Republic of Vietnam.
    195518 SeptemberRockall is officially claimed by the United Kingdom.
    19556 AugustThe French overseas territory of Adélie Land and the Malagasy dependencies of the Crozet Islands, the Kerguelen Islands, and the Saint-Paul and Amsterdam merge to form the French Southern and Antarctic Lands
    195515 MayThe Republic of Austria regains its independence. Allied occupation ends. Vienna is the capital.
    195420 DecemberThe French Republic recognizes the independence of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Phnom Penh remains the capital.
    195415 DecemberThe Kingdom of the Netherlands makes the Netherlands Territory of Curaçao one of its three constituent countries as the Netherlands Antilles. Willemstad on Curaçao remains the capital.
    195415 DecemberThe Kingdom of the Netherlands makes the Netherlands Territory of Surinam one of its three constituent countries as Suriname. Paramaribo remains the capital.
    195426 OctoberThe Free Territory of Trieste is divided between Italy and Yugoslavia.
    195411 AugustThe Republic of India annexes Dadra and Nagar Haveli from the Portuguese India.
    19542 AugustIn the Free Dadra, the capital is moved from Dadra to Silvassa.
    195427 JulyThe Free Dadra declared independence from Portugal, with recognition only from India.
    19547 MarchThe Sultanate of Maldives supersedes the Republic of Maldives.
    195420 JulyThe French Republic recognizes the independence of Vietnam divided between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Vietnam. Hanoi and Saigon are the respective capitals.
    195415 AprilThe Geneva Accords grant independence to Vietnam, which is provisionally divided into North Vietnam and South Vietnam.
    19539 NovemberThe Kingdom of Cambodia declares its independence from the French Republic. Phnom Penh is the capital.
    195322 OctoberThe Kingdom of Laos gains independence from the French Republic. Vientiane is the capital.
    19531 AugustThe British colonies of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland merge to form Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
    195327 JulyThe Korean Armistice Agreement is signed, establishing the Korean Demilitarized Zone along the border between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea.
    195313 JuneThe Egyptian Republic supersedes the Kingdom of Egypt.
    195315 AprilThe United States of Venezuela is renamed the Republic of Venezuela.
    195312 JanuaryThe Estonian Government in Exile is established, in parallel to Estonian diplomatic legations abroad. They are later both declared as keepers of the legal continuity of the restored Republic of Estonia.
    19531 JanuaryThe Republic of Maldives supersedes the Sultanate of Maldives.
    195217 OctoberThe unrecognized Republic of the South Moluccas is taken back over by Indonesia.
    195215 SeptemberItalian Eritrea is federated within the Ethiopian Empire.
    195225 JulyThe Territory of Puerto Rico becomes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico upon ratification of the Constitution of Puerto Rico, choosing free association with the United States of America.
    195222 JulyThe Republic of Poland changes its name to the Polish People's Republic.
    195228 AprilEnd of the Allied occupation of Japan.
    195124 DecemberThe United Kingdom of Libya gains independence from a United Nations trusteeship, previously having been divided into the independent Emirate of Cyrenaica, British-administered Tripolitania and the French Military Territory of Fezzan-Ghadames. Tripoli is the capital.
    195111 JuneDue to Portuguese colonies being reorganized as overseas provinces, Portuguese East Africa is renamed Mozambique and Portuguese West Africa is renamed Angola.
    195123 MayThe unrecognized state of Tibet is incorporated into the People's Republic of China.
    195115 FebruaryThe Republic of Poland and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics exchange territory along their common border.
    19505 DecemberThe Kingdom of Sikkim signs a protectorate treaty with India, becoming a part of it.
    195017 AugustThe Republic of the United States of Indonesia becomes a unitary state and changes its name back to the Republic of Indonesia.
    195025 AprilThe Republic of the South Moluccas declares independence from Indonesia with no recognition.
    195026 JanuaryIndia adopts a republican constitution and changes its name to the Republic of India.

    1940s

    YearDateEvent
    194927 DecemberThe Republic of Indonesia becomes a federation as the Republic of the United States of Indonesia and its independence is formally recognised by the Netherlands. The capital returns to Jakarta from Yogyakarta.
    19498 DecemberThe government of the Republic of China leaves Mainland China for Taiwan where the regime is based today. Taipei becomes the de facto capital.
    19495 DecemberThe State of Israel declares Jerusalem its official capital. Tel Aviv continues to serve as the de facto capital.
    194921 NovemberThe British administered protectorates of the Emirate of Cyrenaica, the occuptied territory of Tripolitania, and the French occupied territory of Fezzan merge to form a jointly administered Libya.
    19498 NovemberThe remains of French Indochina form the French-administered Kingdom of Cambodia.
    19496 NovemberThe Australian administered Territory of New Guinea and the Territory of Papua merge to form the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.
    1949NovemberThe British-occupied territory of Italian Somaliland is transferred to Italy as the Trust Territory of Somalia.
    194920 OctoberThe Soviet-backed East Turkestan Republic is taken over by the People's Republic of China.
    19497 OctoberThe German Democratic Republic is established in occupied eastern Germany. East Berlin is the capital.
    19491 OctoberMao Zedong proclaims the People's Republic of China. Beijing is the capital.
    19499 SeptemberThe Kingdom of Tripura merges with India.
    194920 AugustThe Hungarian People's Republic supersedes the Hungarian Republic.
    19498 AugustThe Indian protectorate of the Kingdom of Bhutan declares independence.
    194919 JulyThe area of Laos in French Indochina becomes a separate entity under France as the Kingdom of Laos.
    194920 JuneThe 1948 Arab–Israeli War ends, resulting in former mandate territory split among Israel, Jordan, and Egypt.
    194914 JuneThe area of Vietnam in French Indochina becomes a separate entity under France as the State of Vietnam, though North Vietnam still claims independence.
    194923 MayThe Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin are established in the U.S., British, and French occupation zones of Germany. Bonn is the capital.
    194911 MayThe Kingdom of Siam changes its name back to the Kingdom of Thailand.
    19493 AprilThe Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan is renamed the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
    194931 MarchThe Dominion of Newfoundland joins Canada as the Province of Newfoundland following the Newfoundland referendums. St. John's yields to Ottawa as the capital.
    194910 MarchAs a result of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Israel captures half of the land allotted to an Arab state under the Partition Plan, Jordan occupies the West Bank, and Egypt occupies the Gaza Strip.
    19492 MarchIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of Central Java is established.
    19491 MarchThe Emirate of Cyrenaica is created from part of the British Military Administration of Libya. The capital is Benghazi.
    194826 NovemberIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of East Java is established.
    194820 SeptemberThe Dutch colony of Curaçao and Dependencies is renamed the Netherlands Antilles, as the dependencies gain equality in level of sovereignty.
    194812 SeptemberThe State of Hyderabad is annexed by India.
    19489 SeptemberKorea is divided between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea. Pyongyang and Seoul are the respective capitals.
    194830 AugustIn the Dutch East Indies, the State of South Sumatra is established.
    194815 AugustEstablishment of the Republic of Korea out of British/American/United Nations occupied Korea.
    194817 JulyThe Republic of the Philippines moves its capital from Manila to Quezon City.
    194814 MayThe State of Israel is established upon the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine. Tel Aviv is the capital.
    194825 AprilIn the Dutch East Indies, the State of West Java is renamed the Sundanese State.
    194818 AprilIreland is declared a republic.
    19481 AprilThe Faroe Islands becomes a self-governing dependency.
    194827 MarchKalat State is integrated into the Dominion of Pakistan.
    194826 FebruaryIn the Dutch East Indies, the State of West Java is created.
    19484 FebruaryThe Crown Colony of Ceylon gains independence from the United Kingdom as the Dominion of Ceylon. Colombo remains the capital until 1982.
    19484 FebruaryIn the Dutch East Indies, the Siak Besar Territory is renamed the Federation of East Kalimantan.
    194830 JanuaryIn the United Kingdom, the Malayan Union is renamed the Federation of Malaya.
    194823 JanuaryIn the Dutch East Indies, the states of Bangka Council, the Belitung Council, and the Riau Council are merged as the Bangka Belitung and Riau Federation.
    194823 JanuaryIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous State of Madura is created.
    194814 JanuaryIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of the Territory of Banjar is created.
    19484 JanuaryThe Union of Burma gains independence from the United Kingdom. Yangon is the capital until 2005.
    1948The Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen moves its capital from Sana'a to Taiz.
    194730 DecemberThe Romanian People's Republic supersedes the Kingdom of Romania.
    194726 DecemberSovereignty over the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands is transferred from the United Kingdom to Australia.
    194725 DecemberIn the Dutch East Indies, the Special Territory of East Sumatra is renamed the State of East Sumatra.
    194715 DecemberFrance claims the Saar as a protectorate from occupied Germany.
    194725 NovemberThe Dominion of New Zealand ceases to be a dominion of the British Empire.
    19471 NovemberThe League of Nations Mandate of Nauru is transferred as a United Nations Trust Territory.
    194727 OctoberThe princely state of Jammu and Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan.
    194716 OctoberSeven of the Turtle Islands are ceded to the Philippines by the United Kingdom.
    19478 OctoberIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of the Special Territory of East Sumatra is created.
    194715 SeptemberThe Free Territory of Trieste is created in Central Europe.
    194727 AugustIn the Dutch East Indies, the Siak Besar Territory is created.
    194715 AugustThe Dominion of India gains independence from the United Kingdom. New Delhi is the capital.
    194714 AugustThe Dominion of Pakistan gains independence from the United Kingdom. Karachi is the capital.
    194712 AugustIndependence of the Balochistan from the United Kingdom.
    194718 JulyThe South Pacific Mandate, governed by Japan, is transferred to the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered by the United States.
    194712 JulyIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous states of Bangka Council and Riau Council are created.
    194712 MayIn the Dutch East Indies, the Federation of West Kalimantan is renamed the Special Territory of West Kalimantan.
    19473 MayThe new Constitution of Japan is adopted, dissolving the Greater Japanese Empire.
    194710 FebruaryThe Italian Republic returns its concession in Tientsin to the Republic of China.
    194725 JanuaryThe New Zealand-administered League of Nations Mandate of Western Samoa is transferred as a United Nations Trust Territory.
    19478 JanuaryIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of the Federation of South Kalimantan is established.
    194627 DecemberIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous State of Great East is renamed the State of East Indonesia.
    194624 DecemberIn the Dutch East Indies, the State of Great East is established.
    194615 DecemberThe Soviet-occupied area of the Republic of Mahabad is returned to Iran.
    194610 DecemberIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous Belitung Council is established.
    19468 DecemberThe League of Nations Mandate of the Territory of New Guinea is transferred as a United Nations Trust Territory, administered by Australia.
    19467 DecemberIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of Dayak Besar is established.
    1946DecemberSeveral League of Nations Mandates in Africa are transferred as United Nations Trust Territories:
    1946NovemberThe Soviet-occupied area of the Azerbaijan People's Government is returned to Iran.
    194627 OctoberThe French Republic elevates its unhabited possession of Adélie Land to an overseas territory.
    194627 OctoberThe French Republic elevates its colonies of French Equatorial Africa, French West Africa, and Madagascar to overseas territories; the French colony of Comoros is separated from Madagascar; and French Somaliland is renamed the Territory of French Somaliland.
    194627 OctoberThe French Republic elevates its French Establishments in India to an overseas territory.
    194627 OctoberThe French Establishments in Oceania are renamed the French Settlements in Oceania.
    194627 OctoberNew Caledonia and Dependencies is renamed the Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies.
    194627 OctoberSaint Pierre and Miquelon is renamed the Territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
    194622 OctoberIn the Dutch East Indies, the autonomous state of the Federation of West Kalimantan is established.
    194614 OctoberThe Provisional Government of the French Republic is renamed the French Republic.
    194615 SeptemberThe People's Republic of Bulgaria supersedes the Tsardom of Bulgaria. Sofia is the capital.
    194626 JulyThe Spanish colonies of Ifni and Spanish Sahara merge to form Spanish West Africa.
    194613 JulyIn Montenegro, the city of Podgorica is renamed Titograd.
    19464 JulyThe Republic of the Philippines gains independence from the United States of America. Manila is the capital until 1948.
    19464 JulyIn the Soviet Union, the city of Königsberg is renamed Kaliningrad.
    19462 JuneThe Kingdom of Italy is renamed the Italian Republic.
    194625 MayThe Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan gains independence from a British League of Nations Mandate. Amman is the capital.
    19461 AprilThe colony of the Malayan Union is formed from the following protectorates:
  • Federated Malay States
  • State of Johor Darul Ta'zim
  • State of Kedah Darul Aman
  • State of Kelantan Darul
  • State of Perlis Indera Kayangan
  • State of Terengganu Darul Iman
  • Straits Settlements
  • 194619 MarchThe French Republic elevates its colonies of Algeria and Réunion to overseas departments.
    194619 MarchThe French Republic elevates its colonies of Guadeloupe and Martinique to overseas departments.
    194619 MarchThe French Republic elevates its colony of Guyane to an overseas department.
    194628 FebruaryThe following French concessions are ceded to the Republic of China:
  • Shanghai
  • Tientsin
  • Kouang-Tchéou-Wan
  • 19461 FebruaryThe Hungarian Republic supersedes the Hungarian Kingdom.
    194622 JanuaryThe Soviet Union occupies part of northwestern Iran, and that area forms the puppet state of the Republic of Mahabad.
    194611 JanuaryThe People's Republic of Albania supersedes the Democratic Government of Albania.
    19464 JanuaryThe Republic of Indonesia moves its capital from Jakarta to Yogyakarta.
    194529 DecemberThe Netherlands New Guinea is separated from the Dutch East Indies.
    194526 DecemberThe Republic of Poland becomes independent.
    19452 DecemberThe Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia supersedes the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
    194529 NovemberThe Democratic Federal Yugoslavia is renamed the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia.
    1945NovemberThe Soviet Union invades northwest Iran and creates the puppet state of the Azerbaijan People's Government.
    194525 OctoberTaiwan is returned to the Republic of China.
    194517 OctoberThe Soviet Union annexes northern East Prussia.
    194516 OctoberThe Japanese puppet state of the Kingdom of Cambodia is taken over by France and put back under French Indochina.
    194510 OctoberIn occupied Japan, Banaba Island is given back over by the Gilbert and Ellice Islands under the United Kingdom.
    19457 OctoberIn occupied Japan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are given back to the British Raj.
    1945OctoberIn occupied Japan, Christmas Island is given back to the United Kingdom.
    194523 SeptemberThe Kingdom of Laos, which was under Japanese occupation, is taken back by France as part of French Indochina.
    194516 SeptemberThe British occupation of the Faroe Islands ends and is handed back to Denmark.
    194515 SeptemberThe Soviet Union's occupation of the People's Republic of Korea ends.
    194513 SeptemberNauru is taken over by Allied forces and placed under a United Nations trusteeship administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
    194512 SeptemberMalaya is given back to the United Kingdom from occupied Japan and is split into the Federated Malay States and the State of Johor Darul Ta'zim.
    194512 SeptemberSyonan-to is taken back over by the United Kingdom from Japan as the Straits Settlements. Singapore is the capital.
    194511 SeptemberIn occupied Japan, Timor is split between the Portuguese East Timor and the Dutch West Timor.
    194510 SeptemberBourneo Kita and the occupation of the British protectorate of the Kingdom of Sarawak are taken back over by the United Kingdom as North Borneo.
    19459 SeptemberThe Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China is taken over by the Republic of China.
    19458 SeptemberThe Kingdom of Thailand changes its name back to the Kingdom of Siam.
    19458 SeptemberThe following states are freed from the Empire of Japan and become their own states from Malaya:
  • State of Kedah Darul Aman
  • State of Kelantan Darul Naim
  • State of Perlis Indera Kayangan
  • State of Terengganu Darul Iman
  • 19454 SeptemberThe United States occupies Wake Island from Japan.
    19453 SeptemberThe United States occupies the Bonin Islands and Volcano Islands from Japan.
    19452 SeptemberThe Democratic Republic of Vietnam declares its independence from the French Republic. Hanoi is the capital.
    19452 SeptemberThe Empire of Japan surrenders to Allied Forces.
    19452 SeptemberThe capital of the Republic of China is moved from Chungking back to Nanking.
    1945SeptemberThe concessions in Shanghai, Tientsin, and Kouang-Tchéou-Wan are re-controlled by France.
    194530 AugustBảo Đại abdicates. End of the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam.
    194528 AugustBritish Hong Kong becomes a crown colony.
    194522 AugustThe Kwantung Leased Territory is returned to the Republic of China.
    194518 AugustThe Japanese create a separate political entity for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    194517 AugustThe Republic of Indonesia declares its independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Jakarta is the capital.
    194517 AugustThe Commonwealth of the Philippines takes over the Japanese-occupied independent Republic of the Philippines.
    194516 AugustHong Kong is liberated from Japan by Allied forces and put under British rule.
    194515 AugustKorea gains independence from the Empire of Japan. Seoul is the capital.
    194515 AugustThe Great Empire of Manchuria is taken over by the Soviet Union.
    194515 AugustFrench Indochina is recovered by France.
    194511 AugustThe Japanese-occupied Empire of Vietnam is taken back over by France.
    194529 JuneA treaty is signed between the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia having the Soviet Union annex Subcarpathian Ruthenia.
    194514 JuneThe State of Brunei is retaken by the United Kingdom and is classified as a protectorate.
    194513 MayThe Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia is integrated back into Czechoslovakia.
    19459 MayReichskommissariat Norwegen is liberated by Allied forces and its possessions are returned.
    19459 MayThe Channel Islands are liberated from Nazi Germany to the United Kingdom as the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey.
    19458 MayNazi Germany surrenders to the Allied Forces.
    19458 MayThe Independent State of Croatia is taken over by Allied forces and given back to Yugoslavia.
    19457 MayThe Dodecanese Islands are taken over by Allied forces and given to Greece.
    19455 MayThe occupation of the Kingdom of Denmark by the Flensburg Government ends. Greenland is returned to Denmark from United States protection.
    19455 MayThe Reichskommissariat Niederlande is liberated and merged with the colonies loyal to the government-in-exile of Curaçao and Dependencies and the Surinam to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
    19451 MayFollowing the death of Adolf Hitler and the Allied victory in the Battle of Berlin, the government of Nazi Germany is moved to Flensburg and the Flensburg Government is created.
    194527 AprilThe second Republic of Austria is established in occupied Austria. Vienna is the capital. The independence is recognised by the Allied Forces.
    194525 AprilThe Italian Social Republic is recovered from Nazi Germany and given to the Kingdom of Italy.
    19458 AprilThe Kingdom of Laos declares independence under Japanese occupation, while Japanese Indochina ceases to exist as a political entity.
    19454 AprilThe Slovak Republic is liberated and given to the Czechoslovak Republic.
    19453 AprilThe Czechoslovak Republic is liberated from Nazi Germany.
    19453 AprilThe United States takes over the Ryukyu Islands and administers it as the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands.
    194527 MarchThe State of Burma is taken back over by Allied forces and becomes the British crown colony of Burma.
    194520 MarchFrance regains Alsace-Lorraine.
    194518 MarchThe Kingdom of Cambodia declares independence from Japan under its occupation.
    194511 MarchThe Empire of Vietnam declares independence from Japan under its occupation.
    19458 MarchThe Kingdom of Hungary is liberated from Nazi Germany.
    194517 JanuaryThe Polish area of the General Government is liberated from Nazi Germany by the Allied Forces.
    194417 JuneThe Kingdom of Iceland ends its personal union with the Kingdom of Denmark and becomes a republic.
    194431 DecemberThe Republic of Poland gains independence.
    194415 DecemberThe Kingdom of Montenegro, a puppet state of the Italian Social Republic, is taken over by Allied forces.
    194413 NovemberThe Independent State of Macedonia is liberated from the Axis powers, and Yugoslavia takes it back.
    194412 NovemberThe East Turkestan Republic declares independence from the Republic of China.
    19443 NovemberThe Hellenic State is completely liberated from the Axis powers. The Kingdom of Greece takes over the rest of it.
    194420 OctoberThe Albanian Kingdom is liberated from the Axis powers as the Democratic Government of Albania.
    194420 OctoberThe Military Administration in Serbia is liberated from the Axis powers, and Yugoslavia resumes control of it.
    194416 OctoberThe Kingdom of Hungary becomes a puppet state of Nazi Germany, keeping the name of the Kingdom of Hungary.
    194413 OctoberThe Kingdom of Greece returns to power after Athens is recovered.
    194413 OctoberThe Reichskommissariat Ostland is completely taken over by Allied forces and integrated into the Soviet Union.
    194411 OctoberThe Soviet Union annexes the Tuvan People's Republic.
    194411 SeptemberThe Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is liberated from Nazi Germany.
    19448 SeptemberThe Independent State of Macedonia is created in Bulgarian-controlled Macedonia.
    19443 SeptemberThe Military Administration in Belgium and North France is liberated from Nazi Germany. The Kingdom of Belgium is reformed, as Belgian Congo is put under the Belgian government's control after having remained loyal to the government-in-exile.
    194420 AugustThe French State is renamed the Provisional Government of the French Republic. All of its colonies had remained loyal to the Free French Forces until Vichy France was disestablished, and Clipperton Island is returned.
    194410 AugustOmiya Jima is taken over by the United States from Japan.
    19442 FebruaryThe Reichskommissariat Ukraine is taken back over by the Soviet Union.
    19431 DecemberThe National Republic State of Italy is renamed the Italian Social Republic.
    194322 NovemberThe Mandate of Syria, made up of the State of Greater Lebanon and the Syrian Republic, are given independence as the Lebanese Republic and the Syrian Republic, respectively.
    194323 OctoberThe Andaman and Nicobar Islands are taken over by Allied forces.
    194314 OctoberThe Japanese-occupied Philippines is given independence as the Republic of the Philippines.
    194323 SeptemberThe part of Italy under German occupation is made into a separate country as the National Republican State of Italy.
    194311 SeptemberThe Dodecanese Islands becomes an occupied territory under Nazi Germany from Italy.
    194310 SeptemberThe Kingdom of Montenegro becomes a protectorate under Nazi Germany from Italy.
    19438 SeptemberThe Albanian Kingdom becomes a protectorate of Nazi Germany from Italy.
    1943SeptemberThe French Antilles and Guiana is split into French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Inini, Martinique, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
    194315 AugustKiska is taken over by Allied forces.
    19431 AugustBurma is given independence under Japanese occupation as the State of Burma.
    194330 JulyThe Shanghai French Concession and the Tientsin French Concession are taken over by Japan.
    194326 JuneThe German Reich is officially renamed the Greater German Reich.
    194330 MayAttu Island is reconquered by the United States.
    1943FebruaryKouang-Tchéou-Wan is conquered by Japan.
    1943JanuaryThe French Military Territory of Fezzan-Ghadames is created when Free French forces from Chad invade southern Italian Libya. Sabha is the capital.
    194228 DecemberThe Allied Forces take French Somaliland from Vichy France.
    194214 DecemberThe Allied Forces take Madagascar from Vichy France.
    194228 NovemberThe Allied Forces take Réunion from Vichy France.
    19428 NovemberThe Allied Forces take the Kingdom of Morocco from Vichy France.
    19421 NovemberThe Karafuto Prefecture is integrated into Mainland Japan.
    1942NovemberThe British Military Administration of Libya begins when British forces invade Cyrenaica from Egypt.
    1942NovemberThe Allied Forces take French West Africa from Vichy France.
    194223 OctoberThe Allied Forces take Tripolitania from Italy, and it becomes an occupied territory of the United Kingdom.
    19429 OctoberThe Commonwealth of Australia ceases to be a dominion within the British Empire.
    194226 AugustThe Japanese occupy Banaba Island and Nauru from the United Kingdom.
    19421 AugustThe Japanese occupy Burma from the United Kingdom.
    19427 JuneThe Japanese occupy Atsuta Jima and Narukami Jima from the United States.
    194231 MarchThe Japanese occupy Christmas Island and the Straits Settlements from the United Kingdom as part of Japanese Malaya.
    194223 MarchThe Japanese occupy the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the United Kingdom.
    19428 MarchThe Japanese occupy the Netherlands East Indies from the Netherlands as Indonesia.
    194220 FebruaryThe Japanese occupy Portuguese Timor and Dutch Timor as Timor.
    194215 FebruaryThe Japanese occupy Singapore from the United Kingdom as Syonan-to.
    194231 JanuaryThe Japanese occupy the State of Johor Darul Ta'zim and the Federated Malay States from the United Kingdom as part of Japanese Malaya.
    194218 JanuaryThe Japanese occupy Bourneo Kita from the United Kingdom.
    19426 JanuaryThe Japanese occupy the State of Brunei Darussalam from the United Kingdom.
    19422 JanuaryThe Japanese occupy the Commonwealth of the Philippines from the United States as the Philippines.
    194125 DecemberThe Japanese occupy British Hong Kong as the Hong Kong Occupied Territory.
    194124 DecemberThe Japanese occupy the Kingdom of Sarawak as Sarawak.
    194123 DecemberWake Island is taken over by Japan from the United States as Otori Jima.
    194122 DecemberWithin British Malaya, the State of Kelantan Darul Naim is taken over by Japan.
    194114 DecemberWithin British Malaya, the State of Kedah Darul Aman is taken over by Japan.
    194111 DecemberThe Japanese occupy the State of Terengganu Darul Iman from the United Kingdom as part of Japanese Malaya.
    194110 DecemberThe Territory of Guam is taken over by Japan from the United States as Omiya Jima.
    19418 DecemberThe Japanese begin the invasion of Malaya in the State of Perlis Indera Kavangan and take it over as Japanese Malaya.
    194128 NovemberItalian East Africa is taken over by the Allied Forces.
    194117 JulyAfter the invasion of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Nazi Germany creates the Reichskommissariat Ostland.
    194117 JulyAfter the invasion of Ukraine, Nazi Germany creates the Reichskommissariat Ukraine.
    194112 JulyAfter Italy invades Montenegro, it creates the protectorate of the Kingdom of Montenegro.
    1941JulyThe French share French Indochina with Japan.
    194119 MayEritrea is taken over by the United Kingdom.
    19415 MayThe Ethiopian Empire is revived after being under Italian control.
    194130 AprilThe Military Administration in Serbia is created after Nazi Germany invades it.
    194117 AprilThe Kingdom of Yugoslavia is dissolved due to Axis invasions.
    19419 AprilGreenland and the Kingdom of Iceland are put under United States protection from the Danish government-in-exile.
    19416 AprilThe Kingdom of Greece is taken over by Axis forces.
    194116 MarchThe British Somaliland protectorate is taken over by Allied forces.
    194126 FebruaryAllied forces take over Italian Somaliland, which is placed under the protection of the United Kingdom.
    1941FebruaryCyrenaica is taken over by the United Kingdom.
    194012 NovemberFrench Equatorial Africa is taken over by forces loyal to the Free French Forces.
    19404 NovemberThe international city of Tangier is taken over by Spain.
    194022 SeptemberNew Caledonia and Dependencies are taken over by forces loyal to the Free French Forces.
    19409 SeptemberFrench India is taken over by forces loyal to the Free French Forces.
    19402 SeptemberFrench Oceania is taken over by forces loyal to the Free French Forces.
    194019 AugustBritish Somaliland is taken over by Italian forces and becomes a part of Italian East Africa.
    19406 AugustThe Estonian SSR is illegally annexed into the Soviet Union as the 16th union republic. This move is not recognized by the United States, United Kingdom or the international community.
    19405 AugustThe Latvian SSR is illegally annexed into the Soviet Union as the 15th union republic. This move is not recognized by the United States, United Kingdom or the international community.
    19403 AugustThe Lithuanian SSR is illegally annexed into the Soviet Union as the 14th union republic. This move is not recognized by the United States, United Kingdom or the international community.
    19402 AugustThe Moldavian SSR is created from a larger part of Bessarabia, a region annexed from Romania on 28 June, and integrated into the Soviet Union as the 13th union republic.
    194031 JulyThe General Government for the Occupied Polish Territories is renamed the General Government.
    194021 JulyThe Estonian, Latvian and the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republics are declared in Soviet-occupied Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Most of the international community will not recognize Soviet rule in these occupied countries and some will keep recognizing their diplomatic legations abroad.
    19401 JulyThe Bailiwick of Jersey is taken over by Nazi Germany.
    194030 JuneThe Bailiwick of Guernsey is taken over by Nazi Germany.
    194028 JuneThe Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and northern Bukovina regions of Romania.
    194022 JuneThe French Republic is renamed the French State.
    194017 JuneThe Soviet Union invades the Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Latvia.
    194015 JuneThe Soviet Union invades the Republic of Lithuania. Many states
    194015 JuneNazi Germany annexes Alsace-Lorraine.
    19407 JuneThe Realm Commissariat for the Occupied Norwegian Territories is created when German forces invade the Kingdom of Norway and its possessions. Oslo is the capital.
    194017 MayThe Military Administration in Belgium and Northern France and the Realm Commissariat of Belgium and Northern France are created when German forces invade the Kingdom of Belgium. Brussels is the capital.
    194014 MayThe Reich Commissariat for the Occupied Dutch Territories is created when German forces invade the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is the capital.
    194010 MayThe Military Administration of Luxembourg and the Civil Administration Area of Luxembourg are created when German forces invade the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Luxembourg City is the capital.
    194012 AprilThe Faroe Islands are put under British occupation.
    19409 AprilThe Kingdom of Denmark is invaded by German forces, while Greenland is granted autonomy.
    194030 MarchThe Provisional Government of the Republic of China and the Reformed Government of the Republic of China merge to form the Reorganized National Government of China.
    194012 MarchThe Karelo-Finnish Soviet Socialist Republic is formed when Soviet forces invade the Finnish Democratic Republic. Petrozavodsk is the capital.

    1930s

    YearDateEvent
    19391 DecemberThe Finnish Democratic Republic is created after the invasion of Finland by the Soviet Union. Terijoki is the de facto capital.
    193912 OctoberThe General Government for the Occupied Polish Territories is created after the invasion of the Republic of Poland by Nazi Germany.
    19396 OctoberThe former territory of the Republic of Poland is partitioned between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.
    193928 SeptemberThe Republic of Poland falls as a government, inviting military occupation by Nazi Germany.
    193914 SeptemberThe colonies of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Inini, Martinique, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon merge into the colony of the French Antilles and Guiana.
    19392 SeptemberThe Free City of Danzig is annexed by Nazi Germany. Danzig yields to Berlin as the capital.
    19391 SeptemberWorld War II begins with the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany.
    19391 SeptemberThe Japanese-occupied Mengjiang is renamed the "Mengjiang United Autonomous Government".
    193923 JulyTurkey fully annexes the Republic of Hatay.
    193910 JulyNazi Germany changes its name to the Greater German Empire.
    193923 JuneThe Kingdom of Siam changes its name to the Kingdom of Thailand.
    193912 AprilItaly annexes the Albanian Kingdom.
    19396 AprilThe islands of Canton and Enderbury are put under the Canton and Enderbury Islands condominium of the United States and the United Kingdom.
    19391 AprilThe Spanish State supersedes the Second Spanish Republic.
    193918 MarchCarpatho-Ukraine is annexed by Hungary.
    193915 MarchCzechoslovakia is partitioned into the German protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Slovakia, and Carpatho-Ukraine.
    193830 SeptemberThe Munich Agreement transfers the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia to Germany and gives parts of Slovakia to Hungary.
    193830 SeptemberThe Czechoslovak Republic is renamed the Czecho-Slovak Republic.
    19387 SeptemberThe area known as Hatay gains independence from Syria as the Hatay State.
    193829 JulyThe Australian Federal Capital Territory is renamed the Australian Capital Territory.
    193828 MarchThe Reformed Government of the Republic of China is formed after Japan invades northeastern China.
    193813 MarchNazi Germany absorbs the Federal State of Austria in Anschluss. Vienna yields to Berlin as the capital.
    19388 MarchThe United States claims the Canton and Enderbury Islands.
    193814 JanuaryNorway lays claims in Antarctica as Queen Maud Land, which lies between 20° west and 45° east.
    193812 JanuaryTristan da Cunha becomes a dependency of Saint Helena, a crown colony of the United Kingdom.
    193729 DecemberThe Irish Free State changes its name to Ireland.
    193714 DecemberThe Japanese invasion of China continues with the creation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of China.
    19375 DecemberThe Japanese invade Shanghai, creating the Dadao Municipal Government of Shanghai.
    193722 NovemberThe Mongol Military Government is renamed the Mongol United Autonomous Government.
    19371 AprilThe Aden Settlement is separated from British India and changed into the Aden Colony and Protectorate. The city of Aden becomes the capital.
    19371 AprilBritish Burma is separated from the British Raj.
    193622 DecemberThe Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936 is ratified and all British troops are withdrawn from Egypt, except for the Suez Canal Zone.
    19365 DecemberIn the French Mandate of Syria, the Sanjak of Latakia is integrated into the Syrian Republic.
    19362 DecemberIn the French Mandate of Syria, the Jabal ad-Druze is integrated into the Syrian Republic.
    193614 OctoberSpanish Guinea is taken over by Spanish Nationalist forces.
    1936SeptemberIfni and Spanish Sahara are taken over by Spanish Nationalist forces.
    19366 AugustThe British reassert their claim to Kanton Island.
    193623 JulyThe Spanish State proclaims itself the sole government of Spain.
    193617 JulySpanish Nationalist forces take over Spanish Morocco, starting the Spanish Civil War.
    19361 JuneThe Italian colonies of Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland merge to form Italian East Africa.
    19369 MayThe Ethiopian Empire is taken over by Italy as Italian Ethiopia after the Second Italo-Abyssinian War.
    1936The former colony of Curaçao and Dependencies is renamed the Territory of Curaçao following the implementation of several laws resulting from the 1922 abolition of colonies in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Willemstad on Curaçao remains the capital.
    193525 NovemberThe East Hebei Autonomous Government is created in China after the invasion of eastern Hebei by the Empire of Japan. Tongzhou is the capital.
    193515 NovemberThe United States territory of the Philippines becomes the semi-independent Commonwealth of the Philippines.
    19353 NovemberThe Hellenic Republic is renamed the Kingdom of Greece after a coup d'état restores the monarchy.
    19351 AprilThe Territory of the Saar Basin is taken over by Nazi Germany.
    193526 MarchJarvis Island is transferred from the United Kingdom to the United States.
    193521 MarchReza Shah Pahlavi changes the name of Imperial State of Persia to the Imperial State of Iran.
    193415 OctoberThe Chinese Soviet Republic is annexed by the Republic of China.
    19347 OctoberThe Catalan State is disestablished and is reabsorbed into the Spanish Republic. Barcelona yields to Madrid as the capital.
    19346 OctoberThe Catalan State proclaims itself independent of the Spanish Republic. Barcelona is the capital.
    19341 MarchManchukuo is renamed to "Manchutikuo".
    19346 FebruaryThe Islamic Republic of East Turkistan is taken over by the Republic of China.
    19341 JanuaryItaly creates Italian Libya with the merger of the colonies of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica, and Fezzan. The capital is Tripoli.
    193312 NovemberAn Uyghur independence movement creates the Islamic Republic of East Turkistan. Kashgar is the capital.
    193313 JuneThe United Kingdom cedes Enderby Land and Victoria Land to Australia as the Australian Antarctic Territory.
    19335 AprilErik the Red's Land in Greenland is ceded by Norway to Denmark.
    193323 MarchNazi Germany supersedes the Weimar Republic.
    19323 OctoberThe Iraqi Kingdom gains independence from the United Kingdom. Baghdad is the capital.
    193223 SeptemberThe personal union of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz unify to form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    193213 SeptemberThe Socialist Republic of Chile changes its name back to the Republic of Chile.
    19324 JuneThe Republic of Chile changes its name to the Socialist Republic of Chile.
    193218 FebruaryThe Empire of Japan takes over northeastern China and establishes Manchukuo. Hsinking becomes its capital.
    193111 DecemberBy the Statute of Westminster 1931, Canada gains full control over its foreign policy and thus independence from the United Kingdom.
    19317 NovemberThe Chinese Soviet Republic is established by the Communist Party of China as a group of discontiguous territories within the larger Republic of China.
    193110 JulyNorway claims territory in eastern Greenland as Erik the Red's Land.
    193112 JuneThe Australian territories of North Australia and Central Australia merge to form the Northern Territory.
    193128 AprilThe Catalan Republic is taken over by Spain.
    193114 AprilThe Second Spanish Republic supersedes the Monarchy of Spain. The Catalan Republic subsequently declares independence from Spain.
    193128 JanuaryFrance officially annexes Isla de la Pasión as Clipperton Island.
    193115 JanuaryThe Belgian concession within the city of Tientsin is returned to China.

    1920s

    YearDateEvent
    19293 OctoberThe Kingdom of Yugoslavia supersedes the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
    1929OctoberThe Kingdom of Afghanistan supersedes the Emirate of Afghanistan.
    19293 JuneTacna is returned to Peru by Chile.
    19292 FebruaryNorway claims Peter I Island.
    1929FebruaryVatican City gains independence from the Kingdom of Italy. Vatican City itself is the capital.
    19296 JanuaryThe Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes is renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
    1929JanuaryThe Emirate of Afghanistan supersedes the Kingdom of Afghanistan.
    192829 DecemberThe Republic of China establishes Nanking as its official capital, later codified in the Constitution of the Republic of China.
    19281 SeptemberThe Kingdom of Albania supersedes the Republic of Albania.
    192728 OctoberThe Republic of Ararat declares independence from Turkey.
    19279 MayThe Commonwealth of Australia moves its capital from Melbourne to Canberra.
    192712 AprilThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland changes its name to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
    192729 JanuaryWithin the Nejd and Hejaz, the Sultanate of Nejd is renamed the Kingdom of Nejd and its Dependencies.
    1927In French Syria, the State of Souaida is renamed the Jabal Druze State.
    192630 JuneOltre Giuba is incorporated into Italian Somaliland.
    19269 JuneAfghanistan becomes the Kingdom of Afghanistan.
    192627 MayThe Rif Republic is dissolved by Spanish and French occupation forces in Morocco.
    1926The Kingdom of Belgium moves the capital of its colony of the Congo from Boma to Leopoldville.
    19256 DecemberBritain adjusts the Egyptian border in favor of Italian Libya, giving it the Jarabub and Kufra oases.
    19251 JulyThe Republic of China relocates its provisional capital from Nanking to Canton.
    192529 JuneBritain transfers control of northern Jubaland to Italy, becoming the Italian colony of Oltre Giuba.
    192522 JanuaryThe Republic of Albania supersedes the Principality of Albania.
    19251 JanuaryThe Kingdom of Norway changes the name of its capital from Kristiania to Oslo.
    192426 NovemberThe Mongolian People's Republic is established. Ulan Bator is the capital.
    192329 OctoberThe Republic of Turkey is established following the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Ankara is the capital.
    192230 DecemberThe Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic unite to form the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Tbilisi, Kharkov, and Smolensk yield to Moscow as the capital.
    19228 DecemberNorthern Ireland secedes from the Irish Free State to again form a region of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
    19226 DecemberThe Irish Free State is constituted as an independent dominion formed through the secession of the island of Ireland from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Dublin is the capital.
    192217 NovemberThe Ottoman Empire is dissolved. Its territories are mostly made protectorates of the victorious Allies of World War I.
    192215 NovemberThe Far Eastern Republic is disestablished and merged with the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
    192212 MarchThe Socialist Conciliar Republic of Georgia, Azerbaijani Socialist Conciliar Republic, and the Armenian Socialist Conciliar Republic unite to form the Transcaucasian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic. Baku and Yerevan yield to Tbilisi as the capital.
    192228 FebruaryThe Kingdom of Egypt gains independence from the United Kingdom. Cairo is the capital.
    192122 NovemberThe United Kingdom recognizes the independence of Afghanistan.
    192113 OctoberIn the Treaty of Kars, Turkey relinquishes claims to Armenia but gains the area around Kars and southern Achara.
    192113 OctoberNiger is established as a separate French colony. Zinder becomes the capital.
    192112 OctoberUpper Silesia is divided between Poland and Germany.
    192118 SeptemberThe Rif Republic is declared in Spanish Morocco with no recognition.
    192114 AugustThe Tuvan People's Republic supersedes Tannu Uriankhai and changes the name of its capital from Belotsarsk to Kyzyl.
    19211 JuneFrance reorganizes French West Africa and the colony of Mauritania is established.
    192118 MarchThe Peace of Riga defines new borders between Poland and Soviet Russia, Soviet Ukraine and Soviet Belarus.
    192125 FebruaryThe Socialist Conciliar Republic of Georgia supersedes the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
    192029 NovemberThe Armenian Socialist Conciliar Republic supersedes the Democratic Republic of Armenia.
    19209 JulyDenmark officially incorporates Northern Schleswig following a plebiscite held earlier in the year.
    19204 JuneThe Treaty of Trianon is signed by Hungary. Its terms include:
    1920Late AprilWestern Thrace is granted to Greece by the Entente.
    192028 AprilThe Azerbaijani Socialist Conciliar Republic supersedes the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
    19206 AprilThe Far Eastern Republic is established. Chita becomes the capital.
    192029 FebruaryThe Hungarian Kingdom supersedes the Hungarian Republic.
    19202 FebruaryThe Estonian War of Independence ends with the Treaty of Tartu, which awards areas around Ivangorod and Pechory from Soviet Russia to Estonia.
    192010 JanuaryThe United Kingdom officially takes over administration of German East Africa and changes its name to Tanganyika.

    1910s

    YearDateEvent
    191927 NovemberBulgaria signs the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine, by the terms of which:
    • Western Thrace is ceded to the Entente.
    • The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes is recognized and a small amount of land along the western border is ceded to it.
    • Dobruja is returned to Romania.
    191925 SeptemberSpitsbergen is awarded to Norway.
    191912 SeptemberThe Bonin–Pichon agreement transfers two desert strips from French control to Italian Libya.
    191910 SeptemberAustria signs the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, by the terms of which:
  • Eastern Galicia is ceded to Poland.
  • South Tyrol, Trentino, Trieste and Istria are ceded to Italy.
  • The Romanian sovereignty over Bukovina is recognized.
  • The independence of Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes is recognized.
  • 191914 AugustThe Weimar Republic supersedes the German Empire.
    19198 AugustAfghanistan declares its independence from the United Kingdom.
    19198 AugustThe Hungarian Republic supersedes the Hungarian People's Republic.
    19192 AugustThe Hungarian People's Republic supersedes the Hungarian Soviet Republic.
    191910 JulyFrance and the United Kingdom agree on a frontier between their mandates in the Cameroons.
    191928 JuneIn the aftermath of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles and the Little Treaty of Versailles are signed, by the terms of which:
  • Eupen-Malmedy and Neutral Moresnet are ceded to Belgium.
  • Alsace-Lorraine is officially ceded to France.
  • The Second Polish Republic is established in place of the puppet Kingdom of Poland. Most of Posen and West Prussia are ceded to Poland by Germany.
  • Memel and Saarland are put under international administration.
  • Plebiscites are provided for in Schleswig and Upper Silesia.
  • Danzig and the surrounding area are superseded by the Free City of Danzig, which is administered by the League of Nations.
  • 191930 MayRuanda and Urundi are assigned to Belgium as a mandate.
    19197 MayGerman New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago are assigned to Australia as a mandate.
    19197 MayGerman Southwest Africa is assigned to South Africa as a mandate.
    19197 MayGerman Samoa is assigned to New Zealand as a mandate.
    19197 MayThe German Northern Pacific Islands are assigned to Japan as a mandate.
    19197 MayNauru is assigned to the British Empire as a mandate.
    19196 MayThe Kionga Triangle is assigned to Portugal as a mandate.
    19196 MayKamerun and Togoland are assigned to France and the United Kingdom as mandates, respectively.
    19193 MayThe Free State of Bavaria supersedes the Bavarian Soviet Republic.
    191919 AprilPoland occupies Vilnius, which is disputed by the Lithuanians.
    19196 AprilThe Bavarian Soviet Republic supersedes the People's State of Bavaria.
    191921 MarchThe Hungarian Soviet Republic supersedes the Hungarian People's Republic.
    19191 MarchThe Oriental State of Uruguay changes its name to the Oriental Republic of Uruguay.
    19191 MarchFrench West Africa is reorganized, with Upper Volta as a separate colony.
    191927 FebruaryThe Lithuanian-Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic supersedes the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Vilnius is the capital.
    19191 FebruaryThe Soviet puppet state Commune of the Working People of Estonia loses all territory to the Republic of Estonia.
    19191 JanuaryThe Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic supersedes the Belarusian People's Republic. Minsk and Smolensk remain joint capitals.
    19181 DecemberIceland, a dependent territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with home rule, becomes the fully sovereign state Kingdom of Iceland in personal union with Denmark. Reykjavík is the capital.
    19181 DecemberThe State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs and the Kingdom of Serbia unite to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Zagreb yields to Belgrade as the capital.
    19181 DecemberThe Union of Transylvania with Romania is proclaimed.
    191829 NovemberThe puppet state Commune of the Working People of Estonia is established in Soviet-occupied Estonia.
    191828 NovemberThe Kingdom of Serbia annexes the Kingdom of Montenegro.
    191828 NovemberThe Union of Bukovina with Romania is proclaimed.
    191825 NovemberVojvodina, formerly part of Austria-Hungary, unites with the Kingdom of Serbia.
    191818 NovemberThe Republic of Latvia gains independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Riga is the capital.
    191816 NovemberThe Hungarian People's Republic supersedes the Hungarian Kingdom.
    191815 NovemberThe Kingdom of Serbia invades the short-lived Banat Republic and divides it between the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes and Romania.
    191814 NovemberThe Republic of Poland supersedes the Kingdom of Poland.
    191812 NovemberThe Republic of German-Austria is proclaimed.
    19182 NovemberThe Republic of Lithuania supersedes the Kingdom of Lithuania.
    19181 NovemberThe Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen gains independence from the Ottoman Empire. Sana'a becomes its capital.
    19181 NovemberThe Banat Republic is proclaimed.
    19181 NovemberThe short-lived West Ukrainian People's Republic is proclaimed.
    191831 OctoberThe Hungarian Kingdom declares its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Budapest is the capital.
    191829 OctoberThe State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs gains independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Zagreb is the capital.
    191825 JulyThe Kingdom of Belgium reabsorbs the Independent State of Flanders.
    191810 JulyThe Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic supersedes the Soviet Russian Republic.
    19189 JulyThe Kingdom of Lithuania supersedes the State of Lithuania.
    191830 MayArmenia changes its name to the Democratic Republic of Armenia.
    191828 MayArmenia and Azerbaijan Democratic Republic dissolve the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic. Yerevan and Baku are the respective capitals.
    191826 MayThe Democratic Republic of Georgia secedes from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic. Tbilisi is the capital.
    191811 MayThe Mountainous Republic of the Northern Caucasus annexes the Emirate of Chechenia.
    191822 AprilThe Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic gains independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Tbilisi is the capital.
    191819 AprilThe Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic annexes the Abkhazian Republic.
    191827 MarchThe Union of Bessarabia with Romania is proclaimed.
    191825 MarchThe Abkhazian Republic gains independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Sukhumi is the capital.
    191825 MarchThe Belarusian People's Republic declares its independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Minsk and Hrodna are named the joint capitals.
    191812 MarchThe Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic moves its capital from Petrograd to Moscow.
    19183 MarchThe Treaty of Brest-Litovsk creates many new states out of the western Russian Empire.
    191824 FebruaryThe Republic of Estonia declares independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Tallinn is the capital.
    191816 FebruaryThe State of Lithuania declares its independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Vilnius is named the capital despite occupation by the Kingdom of Poland.
    191822 JanuaryThe Ukrainian People's Republic gains independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Kiev is the capital.
    191722 DecemberThe Independent State of Flanders declares its independence from the Kingdom of Belgium. Brussels is the capital.
    19176 DecemberThe Republic of Finland gains independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Helsinki is the capital.
    19172 DecemberThe Emirate of Chechenia declares its independence from the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. Vedeno is the capital.
    19177 NovemberThe Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic supersedes the Russian Republic.
    191714 SeptemberThe Russian Republic supersedes the Provisional Government of Russia.
    191712 JulyEnd of the Manchu Restoration.
    19171 JulyXuantong reinstalled as the Emperor of China in an event now called the "Manchu Restoration".
    191712 AprilThe Autonomous Governorate of Estonia is created from the Governorate of Estonia and some of the Governorate of Livonia of the Russian Empire.
    191731 MarchThe United States takes possession of the United States Virgin Islands according to the terms of the Treaty of the Danish West Indies.
    191715 MarchThe Provisional Government of Russia supersedes the Russian Empire in the wake of the February Revolution.
    19165 NovemberGermany and Austria-Hungary proclaim the establishment of the Kingdom of Poland. Warsaw is the capital.
    191622 MarchThe Empire of China is abolished.
    191512 DecemberHongxian proclaims the Empire of China. Beijing is the capital.
    19141 SeptemberThe Russian Empire changes the name of its capital from Saint Petersburg to Petrograd.
    191417 AprilTannu Uriankhai is officially made a protectorate of the Russian Empire.
    19147 MarchAlbania becomes the Principality of Albania.
    1914The Kingdom of Kongo is annexed to Portuguese Angola.
    191329 SeptemberFollowing the Second Balkan War, the Treaty of Constantinople is signed, by the terms of which:
  • The Ottoman Empire regains the portions of Eastern Thrace it lost in the First Balkan War.
  • The Balkan League gains all Ottoman territory west of the line joining Enez and Kıyıköy.
  • 191310 AugustFollowing the Second Balkan War, the Treaty of Bucharest is signed, by the terms of which:
  • Bulgaria gains Western Thrace and the southern portions of what are now Blagoevgrad Province and Burgas Province.
  • Romania gains Southern Dobruja.
  • Serbia gains Kosovo, most of what is now the Republic of Macedonia, and some new land to the west of its previous borders.
  • Greece gains Epirus, West Macedonia, Central Macedonia, and most of the islands in the Aegean Sea that it did not control before the war.
  • Albania gains southern, eastern, and northern lands that bring it to its current borders.
  • Albania becomes officially independent, though a large portion of its lands are disputed.
  • Montenegro gains most of what is now its Northern Region.
  • 191313 FebruaryTibet declares independence from the Republic of China.
    191228 NovemberAlbania declares its independence from the Ottoman Empire. Tirana is the capital.
    191227 NovemberThe Treaty Between France and Spain Regarding Morocco assigns the northern and southern strips of Morocco to Spain.
    191230 MarchThe Treaty of Fez formally re-establishes Morocco as a French Protectorate.
    19121 JanuaryThe Republic of China overthrows the Qing dynasty of China in the Xinhai Revolution. Nanking is the provisional capital.
    1912The Wadai Empire is disestablished and annexed into French Chad.
    191129 DecemberThe Bogd Khanate of Mongolia declares independence from the Qing dynasty of China. Niislel Khüree is the capital.
    19114 NovemberIn the Morocco–Congo Treaty, Germany acquires the Neukamerun region from France in exchange for dropping German claims in Morocco.
    19105 OctoberThe first Portuguese Republic supersedes the Kingdom of Portugal.
    191022 AugustThe Korean Empire capitulates and is annexed by the Empire of Japan.
    191031 MayThe Cape Colony, the Colony of Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony unite as the Union of South Africa to gain independence from the United Kingdom.
    191015 JanuaryThe French Republic creates French Equatorial Africa from its colonies of Gabon, Middle Congo, and Oubangui-Chari. Libreville and Bangui yield to Brazzaville as the capital.
    1910The Kasanje Kingdom is annexed to Portuguese Angola.-

    1900s

    YearDateEvent
    19099 JulyThe Kingdom of Siam transfers its southernmost provinces to British Malaya in the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.
    190815 NovemberKing Leopold II of Belgium sells his private Congo Free State to the Kingdom of Belgium. The colony is renamed the Belgian Congo.
    19086 OctoberAustria-Hungary formally annexes the Ottoman Vilayet of Bosnia as the Condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina
    19085 AugustThe Kingdom of Bulgaria gains independence from the Ottoman Empire. Sofia is the capital.
    190717 DecemberUgyen Wangchuck establishes the Kingdom of Bhutan. Punakha is the winter capital and Thimphu is the summer capital.
    190726 SeptemberNew Zealand gains independence from the United Kingdom. Wellington is the capital.
    190724 AprilThe border between the Republic of the United States of Brazil and the Republic of Colombia is defined by the Bogotá Treaty. Brazil gains lands on the margins of the Solimoes River at the area known as Cabeça de Cachorro.
    190723 MarchThe Kingdom of Siam concedes territory to French Indochina in exchange for Trat.
    1906The French Republic divides its colony of French Congo into the colonies of Gabon and Middle Congo. Libreville remains the capital of Gabon. Brazzaville becomes the capital of Middle Congo.
    190526 OctoberThe Kingdom of Sweden recognizes the union dissolution and the independence of Kingdom of Norway.
    19055 SeptemberThe Liaodong Peninsula and the Russian railway in south Manchuria are leased to the Empire of Japan following the Treaty of Portsmouth.
    19055 SeptemberThe Empire of Japan annexes Sakhalin Island south of 50° N following the Treaty of Portsmouth.
    19057 JuneThe Kingdom of Norway declares its independence from the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway through dissolution of the personal union with Kingdom of Sweden.
    19044 OctoberThe Franco-Spanish Convention of Paris acknowledges formal control of Saguia el-Hamra by the Kingdom of Spain.
    190413 FebruaryFollowing the Franco-Siamese Convention, the Kingdom of Siam concedes border territories to French Indochina in exchange for French-occupied Chantaburi.
    1904The border between the Republic of the United States of Brazil and British Guiana is defined by arbitration. Approximately half of the disputed land goes to each side.
    190318 NovemberThe new Republic of Panama grants the United States of America control of the Panama Canal Zone. Balboa is the administrative center.
    190311 NovemberThe Republic of Bolivia and the Republic of the United States of Brazil sign the Treaty of Petrópolis. Bolivia receives land in Mato Grosso from Brazil, and Brazil absorbs the Republic of Acre.
    19033 NovemberThe Republic of Panama secedes from the Republic of Colombia. Panama City is the capital.
    190329 JulyThe Adamawa Emirate is annexed into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate and Kamerun.
    190312 MayMauritania becomes a protectorate of the French Republic. Saint-Louis is the capital.
    190327 JanuaryThe third Republic of Acre declares its independence from Bolivia. The capital is Antimary.
    190220 NovemberKing Edward VII of Britain adjusts borders in the Cordillera of the Andes Boundary Case 1902.
    190231 MayThe United Kingdom creates the Orange River Colony from the Orange Free State and the Transvaal Colony from the South African Republic. Bloemfontein and Pretoria remains the respective capitals.
    190220 MayThe Republic of Cuba gains independence from the United States of America. Havana is the capital.
    1902The Zaria Emirate and the Abuja Emirate are annexed into the Northern Nigeria Protectorate.
    1902The Mandara Kingdom is annexed into Kamerun.
    19011 JanuaryThe Commonwealth of Australia is established by federation of the British colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Melbourne is the capital until 1927.
    19005 SeptemberThe colony of French Chad is established. Fort-Lamy is the capital.
    190028 MayThe United Kingdom occupies the Orange Free State.
    1900MarchThe first Republic of Acre capitulates and is reabsorbed by the Republic of Bolivia. Later the same year, the second Republic of Acre is declared with Antimary as its capital, and it is again reabsorbed by Bolivia.
    1900The border between the Republic of the United States of Brazil and the French colony of Guyane is defined by arbitration. The French troops that advanced to the margins of the Araguari River repair to the Oiapoque River.

    19th century

    1890s

    1880s

    1870s

    YearDateEvent
    187812 NovemberThe territories between the Pilcomayo River and Verde River, claimed by Argentina and Paraguay, are awarded to Paraguay in an arbitration by Rutherford B. Hayes.
    187813 JulyThe Principality of Bulgaria moves its capital from Plovdiv to Sofia.
    187813 JulyThe Principality of Bulgaria is shrunk significantly
    187813 JulyEastern Rumelia is created as an autonomous province of the Ottoman Empire
    187813 JulyAustro-Hungarian occupation of the Vilayet of Bosnia is recognized; De facto under Austro-Hungarian rule.
    187813 JulyThe Ottoman Empire cedes Thessaly and small parts of Epirus to Greece
    187813 JulyAlashkerd and Bayazid are returned to the Ottoman Empire
    187821 MayThe Principality of Romania gains independence from the Ottoman Empire. Bucharest is the capital.
    18783 MarchThe Principality of Bulgaria is established by the Treaty of San Stefano. Plovdiv is the capital.
    18783 MarchThe Ottoman Empire recognizes Montenegro and cedes it territory including Nikšić, Podgorica and Antivari
    18783 MarchSerbia gains independence and annexes Niš and Leskovac
    18783 MarchThe Ottoman Empire recognizes Romanian independence
    18783 MarchRussia cedes Northern Dobruja to Romania
    18783 MarchRomania cedes Southern Bessarabia to Russia
    18783 MarchThe Ottoman Empire cedes Armenian and Georgian territories in the Caucasus to Russia, including Ardahan, Artvin, Batum, Kars, Olti, Beyazit, and Alashkert.
    18783 MarchThe Vilayet of Bosnia becomes an autonomous province
    18783 MarchCrete, Epirus and Thessaly receive limited self-government
    1878The Argentine campaign to take control of Patagonic territories start. By the end of 1879 Argentina's control would go as far as the Negro River.
    187712 AprilThe United Kingdom annexes the South African Republic as the Transvaal Colony.
    18763 FebruaryLimits between Paraguay and Argentina are established, following the Paraguayan War. Argentina is awarded the Central Chaco and some territories in Misiones. The territories between the Pilcomayo River and Verde River are pending arbitration.
    18757 MayJapan cedes southern Sakhalin Island to Russia in exchange for the Kuril Islands north of Iturup
    187429 DecemberThe restored Monarchy of Spain supersedes the first First Spanish Republic.
    187317 NovemberWith the unification of Buda, Óbuda and Pest, Budapest becomes the capital of the Hungarian Kingdom.
    18731 JulyPrince Edward Island joins Canada.
    187311 FebruaryThe First Spanish Republic supersedes the Monarchy of Spain.
    18719 JanuaryLimits between Paraguay and the Brazilian Empire are established, following the Paraguayan War. Brazil enlarges its Mato Grosso region.
    187120 JulyBritish Columbia joins Canada.
    187110 MayGermany annexes Moselle and most of Alsace from France following the Franco-Prussian War, which becomes the Imperial Territory of Alsace-Lorraine.
    18711 JanuaryThe German Empire supersedes the North German Confederation. Berlin remains the capital.
    1871Rome replaces Florence as the capital city of Italy.
    187020 SeptemberItaly annexes the area around Rome, ending the Papal States, succeeded by the States of the Church.
    18704 SeptemberThe third French Republic supersedes the second French Empire.
    187020 JulyThe Crown Colony of British Columbia joins the Dominion of Canada.
    187015 JulyHudson's Bay Company transfers North-Western Territory to Canada.

    1860s

    1850s

    1840s

    1830s

    1820s

    1810s

    YearDateEvent
    181917 DecemberGran Colombia is established from the previous Second Republic of Venezuela, United Provinces of New Granada, and the Presidency of Quito
    18197 AugustThe United Provinces of New Granada gains independence from the Monarchy of Spain. Bogotá is the capital.
    18175 AprilThe Battle of Maipú secures Chilean independence from Spain
    181712 FebruaryThe State of Chile again declares its independence from the Monarchy of Spain. Santiago is the capital.
    181720 JanuaryThe United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves occupies the Banda Oriental as Cisplatina.
    18169 JulyThe United Provinces in South America declares its independence from the Monarchy of Spain. Buenos Aires remains the capital.
    18166 MaySpanish reconquest of New Granada ends the early Colombian independent governments
    181516 DecemberThe United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves supersedes the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves. Rio de Janeiro remains the capital-in-exile.
    181521 NovemberMiloš Obrenović establishes the Principality of Serbia. Kragujevac is the capital.
    181529 JuneThe Federal League, an alliance of several Argentine Provinces and modern-day Uruguay, is established.
    18158 JulyThe restored Kingdom of France supersedes the first French Empire.
    18159 JuneThe Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia is formed from the Milanese and Venetian portions of the Kingdom of Italy and becomes a crown land of the Austrian Empire
    18159 JuneAustria gains the territory of the former Republic of Ragusa
    18159 JuneGrand Duchy of Tuscany is re-established and is given Piombino
    18159 JuneThe Duchy of Lucca is created in place of the former Republic of Lucca
    18159 JuneThe Duchy of Warsaw is partitioned into the Grand Duchy of Posen, Congress Poland and the Free City of Kraków
    18159 JunePrussia is awarded Danzig, much of the Kingdom of Saxony, Westphalia and the Rhineland.
    18159 JuneThe United Kingdom of the Netherlands is created from the former Dutch Republic and Austrian Netherlands, with Luxembourg in a personal union.
    18159 JuneSwedish Pomerania is ceded to Prussia.
    18159 JuneThe Duchy of Lauenburg is ceded by Hanover to Denmark
    18159 JuneHanover becomes a Kingdom annexes the former territories of the Bishop of Münster and East Frisia
    18159 JuneBavaria gains the Palatinate and parts of the Duchy of Würzburg and Grand Duchy of Frankfurt
    18159 JuneHesse-Darmstadt gains Rhenish Hesse
    18159 JuneBritish control of various colonies, including the Cape Colony, Tobago, and Ceylon, is recognized
    18159 JuneThe United States of the Ionian Islands is formed as a British protectorate
    18159 JuneGerman Confederation established. Frankfurt is the capital.
    181520 MarchThe first French Empire supersedes the Kingdom of France.
    181516 MarchThe United Kingdom of the Netherlands supersedes the Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands. Amsterdam and Brussels are the joint capitals.
    1815Sir Robert Brownrigg establishes the Crown Colony of Ceylon. Colombo becomes the capital.
    1815The capital of Bermuda is moved from St George to Hamilton
    18144 NovemberThe Kingdom of Norway joins a personal union with the Kingdom of Sweden. Stockholm and Christiania are the capitals.
    18142 OctoberThe Monarchy of Spain reconquers Chile.
    181417 MayNorway declares full independence, electing its own king and adopting its own constitution.
    181411 AprilNapoleon abdicates from the Italian throne, effectively dissolving the Kingdom.
    18146 AprilThe restored Kingdom of France supersedes the First French Empire.
    181429 MarchThe Netherlands are reestablished from France as the Sovereign Princedom of the Netherlands.
    181417 MayDenmark cedes Norway to Sweden through the peace of Kiel.
    1814Various Italian states are reinstated, including the Duchy of Modena and Reggio and the Papal States.
    181417 MayThe Kingdom of Sardinia reclaims its mainland territory and annexes the land of the former Republic of Genoa.
    181414 JanuaryThe Kingdom of Norway secedes Denmark–Norway. Christiania is the capital.
    1814The Principality of Andorra declares independence from the First French Empire. Andorra la Vella is the capital.-
    181311 DecemberThe Treaty of Valençay ends formally the Peninsular War, with the restoration of Ferdinand VII of Spain and releasing the country from being a client state of the Napoleonic French Empire.
    18132 DecemberThe Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands is created from the ruins of the first French Empire. Amsterdam is the capital.
    181319 OctoberThe Confederation of the Rhine dissolves.
    181312 OctoberParaguay becomes the Republic of Paraguay.
    18137 AugustThe Second Republic of Venezuela is declared
    181323 JulyThe British Malta Colony supersedes the Malta Protectorate.
    181228 JulyThe First Republic of Venezuela is crushed by the Spanish Empire
    181228 MayThe eastern portion of the Principality of Moldavia is ceded to the Russian Empire by the Ottoman Empire in the Treaty of Bucharest
    181214 MayFrance annexes Catalonia from Spain, creating the départements of Bouches-de-l'Èbre, Montserrat, Sègre and Ter. Andorra is also annexed and incorporated into the département of Sègre.
    181127 NovemberThe United Provinces of New Granada are established
    18115 JulyVenezuela declares independence from Spain
    181114 MayParaguay gains independence from the Monarchy of Spain. Asunción is the capital.
    181128 MarchThe Kingdom of Haiti supersedes the State of Haiti. Cap-Haïtien is the capital.
    181013 DecemberFrance annexes northern Germany
    181018 SeptemberChile declares its independence from the Monarchy of Spain. Santiago is the capital.
    181016 SeptemberMéxico declares its independence from the Monarchy of Spain.
    181020 JulyColombia declares its independence from the Monarchy of Spain.
    181013 JulyThe Kingdom of Holland is annexed by the first French Empire.
    181025 MayMay Revolution. The Spanish viceroy in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata is replaced by the Primera Junta. Creation of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires remains the capital.
    181022 MayBy the terms of the Treaty of Paris, the Principality of Regensburg is formally incorporated into the Kingdom of Bavaria
    181019 AprilThe First Republic of Venezuela is established, starting the Venezuelan War of Independence from Spain
    1810AprilKamehameha I unifies the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
    1810The Rhodanic Republic is annexed by France and becomes the département of Simplon

    1800s

    18th century

    1790s

    1780s

    1770s

    1760s

    1750s

    1740s

    1730s

    1720s

    1710s

    1700s

    17th century

    16th century

    15th century

    14th century

    13th century

    12th century

    11th century

    1st Millennium CE

    10th century

    9th century

    8th century

    7th century

    YearDateEvent
    690King Go establishes Balhae in Manchuria and northern Korean Peninsula.
    690Wu Zhao establishes Wu Zhou in China. Shendu is the capital.-
    690Muslims conquer North Africa-
    681Khan Asparukh crosses the Danube Delta and settles in the Ongal area. Asparukh, with his Slav allies, defeats Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV and establishes the First Bulgarian Empire. Pliska is the capital.
    680The Kingdom of Ceredigion changes its name to the Kingdom of Seisyllwg.
    676Silla unified the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
    634The Anglian kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira unite to form Northumbria.
    63011 JanuaryThe Islamic prophet, Muhammad conquers Mecca and unites Arabia. Medina is the capital.
    628Hwicce becomes a client or sub-kingdom of Mercia.
    61818 JuneGaozu establishes the Tang dynasty in China. Chang'an and Luoyang are the capitals.
    602The Early Lý dynasty of Vietnam is conquered by the Sui dynasty of China. Start of the Third Chinese domination of Vietnam.

    6th century

    YearDateEvent
    581Wen establishes the Sui dynasty in China.
    557Xiaomin establishes the Northern Zhou dynasty in China.
    557Wu establishes the Chen dynasty in China.-
    555Xuan establishes the Western Liang dynasty in China.
    553The Ostrogothic Kingdom is conquered by the Byzantine Empire
    550Wenxuan establishes the Northern Qi dynasty in China.
    544Lý Nam Đế establishes the Early Lý dynasty in Vietnam. End of the Second Chinese domination of Vietnam.
    538The Baekje of Korea moves its capital from Ungjin to Sabi.
    538The Vandal Kingdom is conquered by the Byzantine Empire
    534Wen establishes the Western Wei dynasty in China.
    534Xiaojing establishes the Eastern Wei dynasty in China.
    508Frankish King Clovis the Frank makes Paris the capital of the Frankish Kingdom.
    502Wu establishes the Liang dynasty in China.

    5th century

    4th century

    3rd century

    1st century

    YearDateEvent
    3 CEThe Goguryeo of Korea moves its capital from Jolbon to Gungnae.
    5 CERomans conquer much of the Middle East
    9 CEWang Mang establishes the Xin dynasty in China.
    25 CEGuangwu establishes the Eastern Han dynasty in China.
    40 CEThe Trưng Sisters rebel against Chinese rule in Vietnam.
    43 CEStart of the Second Chinese domination of Vietnam.
    43-47 CEThe Romans found Londinium, a town that will with time become modern London
    71-84 CEConquest of Wales and Scotland by Romans

    Before the Common Era

    First Millennium BCE

    Second Millennium BCE

    Third Millennium BCE

    Fourth Millennium BCE

    Tenth Millennium BCE