1909

Abdul Hamid, the last of the Ottoman sultans, is deposed.

1914-1918

Turkey allies with Germany in World War I, and former Ottoman provinces are divided as mandates among the victorious powers.

1923-1928

National assembly declares Turkey a republic with Mustapha Kemal (later called Atatürk or “father of the Turks”) as president. Turkey declares state secularism and adopts Gregorian calendar and Latin alphabet.

1938

Atatürk dies.

1952

Turkey joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

1960-1963

Army mounts a coup against the ruling Democratic Party. A new constitution goes into effect in 1961. The Turkish government associates formally with the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1963.

1965-1971

Suleyman Demirel becomes prime minister. The army forces Demirel's resignation.

1980-1983

Political impasse results in military intervention in civilian government and martial law and later a new constitution. Turgut Ozal’s Motherland Party (ANAP) wins 1983 general election.

1993-1995

Tansu Ciller becomes Turkey's first woman prime minister, with Suleyman Demirel as president. Pro-Islamist Welfare Party wins elections but can not form a government. 

1998-2000

Welfare Party banned despite majority in parliament. Bulent Ecevit takes power with Ahmet Necdet Sezer as president.

2002-2003

Islamist Justice and Development Party (AK) wins election, promising to adhere to secular constitution. Recep Tayyip Erdogan wins seat in parliament. Abdullah Gul resigns as prime minister and Erdogan takes over.

2003-2005

In efforts to gain European Union (EU) membership, parliament reforms laws on civil rights, minority rights, penal code reforms, and the role of the military. EU membership negotiations are launched.

2007-2008

Secularists demonstrate in Ankara against Erdogan. The AK Party wins and candidate Abdullah Gul becomes president. Parliament approves constitutional amendments rescinding headscarf ban in universities.

2009-2010

A 2003 "Sledgehammer" military plot to overthrow government is exposed. Parliament initiates and voters back constitutional changes to grant parliament control over military.

2011

The Justice and Development Party (AKP) wins re-election, and Prime Minister Erdogan begins a third term.