1984 September -
General elections: BDP wins majority, Quett Masire is re-elected as president.
1980 -
President Seretse Khama dies. Quett Masire, former vice-president, is made president after National Assembly vote.
1980 -
Botswana is founder member of Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), grouping which aims to reduce region's economic reliance on South Africa.
1979 October -
General elections: BDP wins majority, Khama is re-elected as president.
1977 March -
Botswana Defence Force is established.
1977 January -
UN Security Council resolution demands Rhodesian hostilities on Botswana border cease.
1969 August -
BDP wins general election. Khama is re-elected for another term.
1967 -
Diamonds discovered at Orapa.
1966 September -
Bechuanaland is granted independence and becomes Republic of Botswana with Seretse Khama as president.
1965 -
BDP wins legislative elections, first to be held under universal adult suffrage. Seretse Khama becomes prime minister.
1965 -
Gaborone becomes administrative centre.
1962 -
Seretse Khama founds Bechuanaland Democratic Party (BDP), later to become Botswana Democratic Party.
1961 -
Seretse Khama appointed to Executive Council.
1960 December -
Britain approves new constitution for Bechuanaland. Executive Council, Legislative Council and African Council are established.
1960 -
Bechuanaland People's Party (BPP) is established.
1959 -
Copper mines are established.
1952 -
Rioters protest at Seretse Khama's exile.
1950 -
Chief of the Ngwato, Seretse Khama, is deposed and exiled by the British.
1890 -
British protectorate is extended to Chobe river.
1885 -
British proclaim a protectorate called Bechuanaland.
1867 -
European gold prospectors arrive, mining begins.