Historical Timeline
Key events in Eritrean history — drag or scroll the ruler to explore, click an event flag to read its story.
In the year 1517
Ottoman expansion in the Red Sea
Ottoman Empire expands further south in the Red Sea to control the trading routes and posts in the Arabian peninsula and the shores of northeastern Africa.
In the year 1520
Portuguese Traveler Arrived at Debarwa
Portuguese travler and priest, Francisco Alvarez, arrived at Debarwa and met with Bahri Negassi Dori, king of Medri Bahri.
Between the years 1533 and 1535
Ahmed Gragn Conquered Northern Abyssinia and Medri Bahri
Ahmed Gragn/Gurey al-Ghazi of Adal, current day Somalia, conquered northern Abyssinia and Medri Bahri reaching the central highlands of modern Eritrea.
22 May, 1541
Portuguese Forces Landed at Massawa
Portuguese expedition forces led by Estêvão da Gama arrived at Massawa. At the request of the Abssinian Emperor, expeditionary force of 400 men under Cristóvão was sent to fight back Ahmed Gurey of Adal. Bahri Negassi provided assistance.
In the year 1550
Beni Amer Confederecy Formed
After the alliance with the Funj of Sudan and together defeating their Belew rulers, the Beni Amer led by Amer Kunu form a confederecy
In the year 1589
Ottoman Turks Appoint the Naib to Govern Coast
Ottoman Turks appoint the Naib to govern the Coastal plains while the highlands remained under the Abyssinian-supported Bahri Negassi
In the year 1700
Bahri Negassi Gebrekristos of Tsazzega rules Mereb Mellash
Bahri Negassi Gebrekristos of Tsazzega rules Mereb Mellash and Tigray - at the height of the Baheri Negassis' independent power
In the year 1700
Rival Houses of Hazzega and Tsazzega emerged
Rival houses of Hazzega and Tsazzega emerged and would vie for control of Mereb Mellash for the next 130 years
In the year 1768
Rise of Ras Michael Sehul of Tigray and the Deposition of Bahri Negassi Bokre
Bahri Negassi Bokru was deposed and Ras Michael Sehul of Tigray took power in the highlands
In December of 1813
Mehmet Ali of Egypt took Massawa
Mehmet Ali of Egypt took the administration of the Eyalet of Habesh including the port of Massawa, eroding the power of the local Naib nobility, after he defeated the Saudis who led the Wahhabi uprising in the Arabian Peninsula.
In the year 1826
Naib Yahya Rebelled Against Egyptian Rule
Naib Yahya of Hirgigo rebelled against the Egyptian rule under Ibrahim Pasha after he was dismissed from his position forcing the Egyptians to negotiate a truce.
In the year 1832
Dejazmach Wube of Semien dominated Mereb Mellash
Dejazmach Wube of Semien dominated Mereb Mellash with ruthless miltary raids and pillaging for 8 years.
In the year 1832
Egyptians Raid Western Lowlands
Egyptians raid western lowlands for lucrative slave trade and taxation through their garrison at Kassala raiding the lands of the Beni Amer, Nara, Kunama and Bilen.
In the year 1837
Father Giuseppe Sapeto founded Catholic Missionary
Father Giuseppe Sapeto arrived in the southern coastal areas of Denkalia and established an Italian Catholic Missionary
In the year 1841
Egyptian fortification of Kassala and the Subjugation of the Beni Amer
The Egyptians fortified the city of Kassala and raided the surrounding region subjugating the Beni Amer people.
In the year 1844
Dejazmach Wube Intensified His Ruthless Rule
Dejazmach Wube continued his 6-year long, brutal military administration in highlands, constantly raided lowlands, used divide-and-rule strategy and sought French and British support.
In the year 1846
Second occupation of Massawa by Egyptians
Having had lost his rule over Massawa because of the resurgence of the Wahhabi rebellion against the Ottomans, Mehmet Ali Pasha was given back his position to rule Massawa
In the year 1856
Degiats Hailu and Woldemichael feuded to Rule Mereb Mellash
Degiat Hailu of Tsazzega and Degiat Woldemichael of Hazzega started vying for control of Hamasien and their feud carries on for 20 years.
In the year 1865
Third occupation of Massawa by Egyptians
Third occupation of Massawa by Egyptians
2 Jan, 1868 - 13 May, 1868
British Expedition Against Emperor Tewodros II of Abyssinia
Gen. Napier's British Expedition against Tewodros II of Abyssinia landed at Zula (Eritrea) for provoking Queen Victoria. Kassa Mercha became Emperor Yohannes IV upon Tewodros' demise by aiding the expedition.
In the year 1872
Egyptians Fortified Massawa, Keren and Hrgigo
Ismail Pasha of Egypt fortified the garrisons at Massawa, Keren and Hrgigo to put his expansive plans into action and invade Abyssinia-controlled fertile highlands and the Barka delta
In February of 1876
Degiat Woldemichael Given the Title of Raesi (Duke)
Degiat Woldemichael offered his army to support the Egyptians against Yohannes IV; it was declined but given the title of Raesi (eqivalent to Duke)
In December of 1879
Raesi Woldemichael arrested and imprisoned
After having being reconciled with Yohannes IV and his title of Raesi confirmed, Alula plots to have Raesi Woldemichael arrested.
5 Jul, 1882
Formation of Italian Colony of Assab
By declaration of the King and Parliament of Italy, the new Italian Colony of Assab is declared
3 Jun, 1884
The Hewett Treaty
Hewett Treaty also called as the Treaty of Adwa is signed between Egypt and Ethiopia and Britain ending the conflict beteen Egypt and Ethiopia.
In the year 1889
First Eritrean Ascari Recruited
The first Eritrean soldiers in the Italian colonial army known as Ascari were recruited. More than 130,000 Ascari would have served in the Italian army by 1941.
In August of 1889
Italy occupied Asmara
The Italian started expanding to the highlands taking Keren first and then Asmara after a month.
1 Jan, 1890
Eritrea was Declared as the New Italian Colony
Italy declared the formation of its new colony of Eritrea on the Red Sea, taking territories the weakened Egyptians occupied and expanding to the central highlands. Eritrea got its name from the Erythraean Sea or Red Sea.
Between the years 1891 and 1893
Italian Agricultural Colonization of the Highlands
Italians start confisicating fertile lands from farmers in the highlands and making them work in the farm lands.
13 Jan, 1895
The Battle of Coatit
The Battle of Coatit was fought between Italy and Ethiopian army led by Ras Mengesha Yohannes in the First Italo–Ethiopian War where the Italians rebuffed the invasion of their colony.
In the year 1897
Ferdinando Martini Became First Civil Governor of Eritrea
Ferdinando Martini became the first civil governor of the Italian Colony of Eritrea
In the year 1900
Asmara Became the Capital of Colonial Eritrea
Asmara Became the Capital of Colonial Eritrea
In the year 1909
Colonial Land Law - Lowlands to be State Land
Colonial Land Law declares lowland as state land
6 Dec, 1911
Massawa-Asmara Railway Completed
The 125km-long railway connecting Massawa to Asmara was completed by colonial Italians in Eritrea. It is considered an engineering feat for scaling the eastern escarpment of the Great Rift Valley in quite a short distance in one of its sections.
14 Aug, 1921
Massawa Destroyed by Earthquake
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Massawa destroying much of the port city
In the year 1942
First Eritrean Newspaper Published
ናይ ኤርትራ ሰሙናዊ ጋዜጣ (The Eritrean Weekly News) was the official organ of the British that started in 1942 but allowed Eritreans to express their opinions
Between the years 1942 and 1944
Expansion of US and British military Bases in Eritrea
Expansion of U.S. and British military Bases in Eritrea
Between January of 1942 and December of 1944
Italians in Eritrea Develop Industry and Agriculture for WWII Wartime Markets
Italians in Eritrea Develop Industry and Agriculture for WWII Wartime Markets
In the year 1942
United Nations to Decide the Future of Eritrea Commission Decided
The Four Powers Commission recommended that the United Nations decide the future of Eritrea.
In the year 1943
Ibrahim Sultan Founded Self-Emancipation Movement of the Serfs
Ibrahim Sultan led the movement to emancipate the Tigre serfs from the Shemagulle feudal landowners. He founded the Emancipation Movement of the Serfs (Harakat Tahrir al Aqnan)
In February of 1944
The Eritrean Police Went on Strike Against Italian Justice System
During the British Military Administration, Eritrean police went on a strike demanding the removal of Italian Police, Italian Laws and Judges; this created opprtunity for the Pro-Ethiopian Unionists
In the year 1945
Postwar Depression and British Dismantling of Infrastructure
After WWII was over, economic depression set in. The British dismantled and salvaged many Eritrean factories and transportation infrastructure. Lawlessness and anti-Italian banditry (shiftanet) became rampant.
3 Dec, 1946
Eritrean Muslim League was Founded By Ibrahim Sultan
Following the failure of the Bet Giorgis Conference to unite the "self-determination" movement, Ibrahim Sultan founded the Eritrean Muslim League, or "al-Rabita al-Islamia" in Arabic.
In the year 1947
The Unionist Party was Founded by Tedla Bairu
The Unionist Party, whose mission was the union of Imperial Ethiopia with the former Italian colony of Eritrea, was founded by Tedla Bairu.
10 Feb, 1947
Paris Peace Treaty - Commission to Decide Eritrea's Future
On Feb 10, 1947, the Paris Peace Treaty outlined that the fate of Eritrea was to be decided based on the findings of a new Commission, the Four Powers Commission.
18 Feb, 1947
Eritrean Liberal Progressive Party was Founded by Pro-Independence Highlanders
Eritrean Liberal Progressive Party was Founded by Pro-Independence Highlanders in Adi Keyih. The party had more than 53,000 members.
12 Nov, 1947
The Arrival of the Four Powers Commission in Eritrea
The Four Powers Commission arrived in Eritrea and found Eritreans divided on independence with most highland Christians favoring Union with Ethiopia while Muslims preferring independence.
In the year 1949
Pro-Ethiopian Union Terrorist Attacks on Pro-Independence Leaders
Terrorist attacks on leaders of the pro-indenpendece movement intensified by the Ethiopian-funded pro-union side.
17 May, 1949
The Bevin-Sforza plan for Partitioning Eritrea Rejected by UN
The Bevin-Sforza plan to partition Eritrea between Ethiopia and Sudan was not adopted by the United Nations as a viable solution for Eritrea.
In June of 1949
The Eritrean Independece Bloc was Formed
The Independence Bloc, which included most of the pro-indepence political parties, was formed. It was led by Ibrahim Sultan of the Muslim League.
14 Feb, 1950 - 23 Feb, 1950
UN Commission of Inquiry Arrived in Eritrea
The UN Commission of Inquiry whose mandate was to determine the views of Eritreans on Union with Ethiopia or Indepence arrived when the division among Eritreans on the issue had reached to new heights of violence.
21 Feb, 1950 - 23 Feb, 1950
Bloody Christian-Muslim Rioting in Asmara
A bloody riot ensued after pro-union members lobbed grenades into a funeral procession of a prominent pro-independence Muslim League member in Asmara. Many are killed and wounded in the riot that lasted for three days.
21 Feb, 1951
Transition to Federation - U.N. Commissioner Anze Matienzo Arrived
Following the passing of the UN resolution to federate Eritrea with Ethiopia, Anze Matienzo arrived in Eritrea to oversee the transition to federation.
In June of 1951
British Campaign Successfully Ended Shifta-Related Violence
British Campaign Successfully Ended Shifta-Related Violence that became rampant with the unrest and division within the Eritrean society on deciding the future of the colony of Eritrea
21 Jan, 1952
Eritrean Student Movement in Cairo
A group of Eritrean students in Cairo, Egypt, formed a pivotal organization that would shape the course of Eritrea's revolutionary history.
13 Sep, 1952
Tedla Bairu Elected As Chief Executive of Eritrea
Tedla Bairu was elected as Chief Executive of the Government of Eritrea, under the federal Imperial Ethiopian Crown
15 Sep, 1952 - 30 Sep, 1952
Ethiopian Military Occupied key Towns and Ports
Ethiopian Military Occupied key Towns and Ports
16 Nov, 1952
The Syndicate of Free Eritrean Workers was Founded
The Syndicate of Free Eritrean Workers was Founded and Woldeab Woldemariam was elected its president. It was the first trade union organization in Eritrea and one of the first in Africa.
In February of 1953
Woldeab Woldemariam Severely Wounded After 7th Assassination Attempt
Woldeab Woldemariam was severely wounded after a 7th assassination attempt that left him hospitalized for 5 months. He left for exile to Sudan soon after.
22 May, 1953
Kagnew Station Leased to U.S. for 25 Years
A 25-year lease is signed between the governments of the United States and Ethiopia to establish a military communications base at Kagnew Station in Asmara.
23 Jul, 1955
Tedla Bairu Resigned As Chief Executive of Eritrea
Tedla Bairu resigned as Chief Executive of Eritrea. He was eventually replaced by Asfaha Woldemichael permanently, after Araya Wassie held the position for 10 days in acting capacity.
In September of 1956
Early Student Protests Begun
Early student protests begun to spread although they were brought under control soon.
In September of 1956
Woldeab Woldemariam Started Radio Broadcasting from Cairo
Woldeab Woldemariam, a leading figure in the movement for the independence of Eritrea, started radio broadcasting from exile in Cairo having survived many assassination attempts at home.
5 Sep, 1956 - 6 Sep, 1956
Second Assembly with Unionist Majority was Elected
Second Assembly with Unionist Majority was Elected
In the year 1958
The Convergence of Student Activism and Military Resistance
The rise and convergence of activism of Eritrean students in Cairo and Eritrean soldiers serving in the Sudanese army for Eritrean independence.
10 Mar, 1958 - 14 Mar, 1958
General Strike Occurred in Asmara
A general peaceful strike against the new federal labor laws were held in Asmara. This was met with violent response by the Ethiopian troops. Several were killed while hundreds were wounded.
24 Dec, 1958
Eritrean Flag was Banned
The Eritrean flag with the green olive wreath on a sky-blue background was banned by the Ethiopian government further eroding the autonomy of the Government of Eritrea.
10 Jul, 1960
Eritrean Liberation Front was Founded
Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) was founded in Cairo by the former Chairman of the General Assembly, then exiled, Idris Mohammed Adem along with other intellectuals.
12 Jul, 1962
Bomb Attack by ELF Fighters At Agordat
A bomb attack on high-level Ethiopian officials was carried out by ELF fighters in Agordat at a gathering to promote Ethiopia's forced annexation of Eritrea.
1 Dec, 1970
The Massacre at Ona
At Ona, more than 800 residents and people who fled from the Ethiopian army's bloody raids of the surrounding villages, notably Besikdira, were massacred.
23 Nov, 1974
Gen. Aman Andom was Killed by the Military Derg
General Aman Andom, the Eritrean-born chairman of the Military Derg (council) and acting Head of State of Ethiopia was Killed by the Derg over critical disagreements over the path forward after the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
12 Feb, 1975
ELF Operation at Sembel Prison
ELF carried out an operation at Sembel Prison in Asmara, Eritrea, freeing 730 political prisoners.
14 Feb, 1975
The Massacre at Asmara and Surrounding Villages
The Massacre at Asmara and Surrounding Villages
9 Mar, 1975
The Second Massacre at Agordat - Black Sunday
Following the assassination of a collaborator by ELF freedom fighters, an Ethiopian general orders the massacre against the residents of Agordat.
In June of 1978
The Retreat of ELF and EPLF from Eritrean towns
In mid-1978, the Eritrean revolution faced a decisive moment when the military balance of power shifted. A strategic withdrawal was made.
13 Jun, 1978
Ethiopian Derg Government 1st Military Campaign Against EPLF
The multi-pronged, 1st campaign of the Ethiopian Derg army against Eritrean liberation fronts of ELF and EPLF started on June 13, 1978. Asmara was captured.
18 Nov, 1978
Ethiopian Derg Government 2nd Military Campaign Against EPLF
With a 3-month preparation, the Ethiopian Derg army launched its 2nd military campaign to annihilate EPLF in central highlands of Eritrea.
In January of 1979
Ethiopian Derg Government 3rd Military Campaign Against EPLF
The Ethiopian Derg Army launched its 3rd campaign at Genfelom and Emahmime, with reinforcements from Asmara, Agordat and Massawa. Nakfa Front was established.
30 Mar, 1979 - 11 Apr, 1979
Ethiopian Derg Government 4th Military Offensive Against EPLF
The Ethiopian Derg Army launched its 4th campaign aiming to break EPLF's fortified positions in a frontal attack at the Nakfa Front on March 30, 1979.
14 Jul, 1979 - 26 Jul, 1979
Ethiopian Derg Government 5th Military Offensive Against EPLF
The Ethiopian Derg Army launched its 5th campaign aiming to split EPLF's defense lines for double-encirclement and cut supply lines to the Nakfa Front in July 1979.
15 Feb, 1982 - 20 Jun, 1982
Ethiopian Derg Government 6th Military Offensive Against EPLF
Ethiopian Derg Government 6th Military Offensive Against EPLF
23 Mar, 1983 - 31 Aug, 1983
Ethiopian Derg Government 7th Military Offensive Against EPLF - SelaHta Werar
Ethiopian Derg Government 7th Military Offensive Against EPLF - SelaHta Werar
10 Oct, 1985 - 4 Dec, 1983
Ethiopian Derg Government 8th Military Offensive Against EPLF - Operation Bahre-Nagash
Ethiopian Derg Government 8th Military Offensive Against EPLF - Operation Bahre-Nagash
In the year 1987
EPLF's Strategy to Destroy Nadew Command
EPLF daringly planned to destroy Nadew Command after meticulous intelligence gathering and diversionary operations behind enemy lines
Between March of 1987 and January of 1988
EPLF's Battle Plan Against Nadew Command
EPLF's battle plan to completely encircle and annihilate the Ethiopian Army's Nadew Command at the Battle of Afabet
In March of 1988
Capacities of EPLF and Ethiopian Armies at Afabet
Capacities of EPLF and Ethiopian Armies at the Battle of Afabet when EPLF launched an offensive to destroy Nadew Command
Between the months of Feb and May 1990
Formation of the Ginda Front
The formation of Ginda Front where EPLF made the stand to block all Ethiopian Army's attempts to break through to retake the port city of Massawa.
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