- 1st century BC
Numerous tribes (mostly Frisians and Batavians) become the area’s first inhabitants.
- 4th century
Barbarians invade the area.
Amsterdam is founded.
Storm causes a flood that drowned approximately 10.000 inhabitants.
King of Spain Charles V inherits the Netherlands.
Wooden buildings in Amsterdam are banned.
Amsterdam abandons the Spanish and Catholic cause.
The Union of Utrecht unites the northern Low Countries.
The United Provinces declare their independence from Spain.
The United East India is founded.
The Dutch discover Manhattan Island.
Peter Minuit (Director-General of the Dutch colony of New Netherlands) purchases Manhattan Island for the equivalent of 24 dollars.
- 1630 - 1654
The Dutch conquer Brazil.
Rembrandt paints The Night Watch.
- 1642 - 1643
Abel Tasman reaches Tasmania and New Zealand.
End of war with Spain; Dutch independence recognised.
Jan van Riebeek reaches Cape Town; first Anglo-Dutch war.
Brazil is sold to Portugal.
- 1665 - 1667
Second Anglo-Dutch war.
- 1672 - 1674
Third Anglo-Dutch war.
Velvet Revolution; French occupy the Netherlands.
- 1806 - 1810
Louis Bonaparte (Napoléon's brother) becomes king of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands regains independence.
The country becomes the Kingdom of the Netherlands headed by Willem l of the House of Oranje-Nassau.
Belgium rebels against the Netherlands and breaks free.
Vincent van Gogh is born.
Amstel Brewery opens.
Vincent van Gogh commits suicide.
Dutch women get the vote.
KLM launches the world’s first scheduled air service.
Olympic Games are held in Amsterdam.
Germany invades and conquers the Netherlands four days after the aerial bombardment of Rotterdam.
February strike against the deportation of the Jewish community.
- 1942 - 1945
Anne Frank and her family hide in Amsterdam. The refuge is betrayed and Anne dies at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. She was 15.
- 1944 - 1945
Thousands die during the Hunger Winter.
The Diary of Anne Frank is published.
Benelux customs union takes effect.
The Dutch East Indies receives its independence as Indonesia; the Netherlands joins NATO.
The Netherlands founding member of European Coal and Steel Community.
The Netherlands joins the European Economic Community.
Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary; the Netherlands grants independence to Surinam; use of cannabis is decriminalised.
Queen Juliana retired and succeeded by her daughter Beatrix.
The Homomonument is unveiled.
The world’s first same-sex marriage takes place in Amsterdam.
Euro replaces the Dutch guilder; regulated euthanasia is legalised.
Interesting & Fun facts about the NetherlandsInteresting and fun business, social, historical and practical facts and figures about the Dutch and the Netherlands.
Statistics & FactsA list of useful facts and statistics about the Netherlands.
Dutch monarchyHow much do you know about the King Willem-Alexander and the Dutch royal family?
The Dutch governmentLearn more about the Dutch government as well as the constitution, provincial governments, municipalities, water boards, and ministries in the Netherlands.
Dutch flagsInformation on the history and the evolution of the Dutch flag, the flags of the countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Dutch municipal flags.
Map of the Netherlands & Other Dutch mapsTake a look at the map of the Netherlands and other interesting maps.