1911-1912

Italy seizes Libya from the Ottoman Empire. Sanussi leader Omar al-Mukhtar begins insurgency against Italian rule.

1931

Italians mount military response, imprison rebels in concentration camps, and execute Al-Mukhtar.

1934

Italy establishes colony of Libya.

1942

Allies defeat Italian forces during World War II and divide Libya between French and British rule.

1951

Libya becomes independent as a monarchy.

1969-1970

Col. Muammar Gaddafi deposes King Idris in a coup. Gaddafi nationalizes oil, appropriates settler lands, and closes foreign bases.

1973-1977

Gaddafi implements a "cultural revolution" and renames the country the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriyah.

1981-1988

International incidents erode foreign relations and result in US bombing of Libyan military targets. Libyans are implicated in passenger airliner explosion over Lockerbie, Scotland.

1989

Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia form the Arab Maghreb Union.

1992-2003

UN imposes sanctions on Libya in Lockerbie case. In 2003, Libya compensates families of the victims and UN lifts sanctions.

2002-2004

Libya/US relations improve. Libya chairs the UN Human Rights Commission.

2005-2006

Libya auctions oil and gas licenses, bringing US energy companies' back to Libya.  US moves toward full diplomatic ties.

2008-2009

Libya takes over rotating presidency of the UN Security Council and chairs the African Union.

2011

Anti-Gaddafi protests spread from Benghazi to other cities. UN Security Council authorizes a no-fly zone. Rebel groups backed by NATO air raids and arms engage with pro-Gaddafi forces. In July, the National Transitional Council (NTC) is recognized as the legitimate government of Libya. In August, Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli falls. In October, Gaddafi is captured and killed, and in November, Gaddafi’s son, is captured.