1893. Côte d'Ivoire becomes a French colony.
1944. Felix Houphouet-Boigny founds Syndicat Agricole Africain (SAA) to protest the colonial authorities' preferential treatment of French planters in the recruitment of farm labor.
1960. Republic of Ivory Coast is proclaimed with Felix Houphouet-Boigny elected president. A new constitution is adopted.
1963. A plot against the government is uncovered, and hundreds are arrested, including members of the National Assembly and cabinet ministers.
1969. Street clashes between Ivorians and immigrant workers are followed by student demonstrations. Diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union are broken.
1970. The government restricts immigration of foreign workers and suppresses a group of Bete rebels led by Gnabe Opadjele.
1973. A coup attempt by 12 army officers is foiled.
1990. Opposition parties are legalized. First multiparty elections are held. Houphouet-Boigny is re-elected president.
1993. Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Côte d'Ivoire's president since independence in 1960, dies in December. Henry Konan Bedie, president of the National Assembly, succeeds him.
1994. The CFA franc is devalued in January by 50 percent, preparing ground for further economic reforms and a sustained period of economic growth.
1995. In October, Konan Bedie wins 95 percent of the vote in the presidential elections in the face of a widespread opposition boycott.
1998. The constitution is amended in August strengthening the powers of the president and barring Ouattara from standing in the 2000 presidential election.
1999. Bedie is ousted in a coup, and a military government under General Robert Guei is installed.
2000. The presidential elections between General Guei and Laurent Ggagbo of the FPI occurs. After an attempt by Guei to announce himself elected, Gbagbo is declared president.
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