1871-1874

Turkish and Egyptian forces conquer the territory of today’s Sudan.

1881-1885

Muhammed Ahmad declares himself al-Mahdi, or awaited guide, and begins reconquest of Sudan. Mahdi’s forces capture Khartoum. British General Charles Gordon is killed.

1896 – 1898

Anglo-Egyptian forces defeat Mahdists in the Battle of Omdurman. The Mahdi’s successor is killed. British and French compete for control of Nile at Fashoda.

1899 – 1945

Anglo-Egyptian Condominium rules the Sudan jointly. Military campaigns force ethnic groups to submit to Anglo-Egyptian rule.

1956

Sudan declares independence. First civil war erupts between southern rebels and the government in northern Sudan.

1958 – 1964

Mahdist and other parties win majorites in parliamentary elections. General Ibrahim Abboud stages a coup but is ousted in the October Revolution of 1964.

1965 – 1968

National Union Party and Umma party coalitions maintain majorities in Parliamentary elections.

1969 - 1971

Ja’far Numeri leads a military coup, bans political parties and jails Communists. The regime adopts socialist reforms, nationalizing banks and businesses.

1977-1983

Islamic reforms culminate in 1983 "September Laws" introducing shar’ia, or Islamic law, to all areas of life throughout the country.

1985 - 1986

Numeri government overthrown. Umma party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi becomes Prime Minister.

1989

Omer al-Bashir leads a military coup, and Hassan al-Turabi, leader of the National Islamic Front, emerges as leader.

1993 - 1996

President al-Bashir consolidates executive and legislative power in the appointed Transitional National Assembly. Al-Bashir is elected President for five years, and Hassan al-Turabi becomes speaker of the National Assembly in 1996.

1998 – 2000

New constitution goes into effect after nationwide referendum. Al-Bashir dissolves parliament and declares state of emergency and detains Hassan al-Turabi. Opposition parties boycott presidential elections as Bashir is re-elected for five years.

2003 - 2005

Hassan al-Turabi released from detention after nearly three years in detention and ban on his party is lifted.

2010 – 2011

President Bashir gains new term in first contested presidential polls since 1986. South Sudan votes for full independence of Southern Sudan from the north in a referendum. South Sudan declares independence.