LATVIA -
REMARKABLE DATES
| 3000 BC | Europeid tribes enter Latvia which later form Latvian nation. |  Latvian wooden architectuire in the Open-air museum |
| 200 AC | Territory of Latvia first shown on geographic maps | |
| 600 AC | River Daugava becomes an international route of trade. |  A map of Livonia |
| 1200 – 1290 | Conquering of Latvia by German crusaders belonging to the Order of Livonia. Foundation of the capital Riga in 1201 | |
| 1290-1560 | Order of Livonia rules the country |  Turaida
castle |
| 1562 | Order of Livonia loses all power in Latvia. The German nobility however keeps the ownership and the real ruling power throughout the centuries and different political powers until the establishment of independent Republic of Latvia in 1918. | |
| 1562-1710 | In the wars between Poland, Sweden and Russia power in Latvia goes from hands to hands, longest periods of power being Polish (1562-1621) and Swedish (1621-1710). |  "Swedish gate" in Riga |
| 1710 | As one of the outcomes of the Great Nordic war Latvia becomes part of the Russian Empire. | |
| 1852 | An electric telegraph line is opened Latvia as the first one in the Russian empire. |  Entrance to Rundale palace by Rastrelli |
| 1855 | Latvian students of Tartu university organise group acting against Germanisation of Latvian intelligentsia. National movement begins. | |
| 1861 | Establishing of Riga Polytechnicum which later served as basis for the establishment of the University of Latvia. |  The Riga Polytechnicum - at present University of Latvia main building |
| 1864 | Establishing of the first naval school with Latvian as language of instruction. | |
| 1864 | As a step of Latvian national awakening the first all-Latvian Folk songs' festival takes place. These evants became a symbol of Latvian national feelings. Held every four years, they have consolidated Latvian nation even in the darkest periods of the further history |  A group of singers at Latvian folk songs' festival |
| 1870 | Establishment of the Baltic Teachers’ seminarium in Riga. | |
| 1878 | First electric power station is established in Latvia. |  Fishermen's boats at the coast |
| 1882 | Telephone connection is established in Riga. | |
| 1901 | First electric tram line in Riga |  Students of Riga Higher School of Pedagogy and Education management |
| 1905 | Territory of Latvia is the first in Europe where women gain election rights. | |
| 1905 | The “Revolution of 1905” begins in Russian Empire. In Latvia it has a special meaning – it is a struggle of Latvians against the double national oppression of German landlords and Russian political power. The revolution turns out to be unsuccessful. | |
| 1907 | Production of first automobiles in Tsarist Russia begins in Riga. |  November 18, 1918, National Theatre in Riga. Independence is proclaimed |
| 1912 | Latvian sportsmen first participate in the Olympic games in Stockholm and win a bronze award. | |
| 1915 | World War I. German troops conquer Latvia. Half a million refugees leave their homes. | |
| 1918 | Latvia proclaims independence on November 18, 1918. Liberation war begins. | |
| 1919 | Establishing of the University of Latvia, Latvian State Conservatoire and Latvian Academy of Arts. |  The present Government (since May, 2000) |
| 1920 | Piece agreements signed between Latvia and Germany and Latvia and Russia. | |
| 1921 | Latvia becomes internationally recognised as independent state. | |
| 1921-1940 | The first independence period. Latvia develops to a full-fledge European state and reaches a remarkable economic and technological success. |  Early morning in forest |
| 1940 | Following Stalin-Hitler pact, Russian troops occupy Latvia. Latvia is incorporated into the Soviet union. Repressive actions begin including mass deportations to Siberia. |  A space photo of the Baltic sea |
| 1941-45 | World war II. Latvians are forced to fight in both occupant armies – the Red army and the German army. As the outcome of the war, 35% of the nation perish, are deported to Siberia or emigrate. |  January 1991. Just before building barricades at Dome Square. |
| 1945-91 | Latvia remains under control of the Soviet Union. This period can be characterised with socialist planned economy, lack of political freedom, minimum contacts with the World outside the Eastern block and carefully censured information. | |
| 1990 | May 4, 1990 the then Supreme Soviet de jure declares Latvia’s independence. |  President of Latvia Mrs Vaira Vike-Freiberga |
| 1991 | Full independence de facto is restored on August 21, 1991 |