In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden apply for Nato membership.
Antti Rinne resigns over handling of postal strike, and is succeeded by fellow Social Democrat Sanna Marin.
The Social Democrats return to power at the head of a centre-left coalition led by Antti Rinne.
Finland suffers what police treat as its first terrorist attack when a young Moroccan man stabs several people in the southwestern city of Turku.
Finland emerges from a downturn lasting nearly a decade, according to central bank growth forecasts.
Finland signs an agreement on closer defence collaboration with the United States amid growing concern over Russian military activities in the Baltic Sea region.
Parliament approves plans by a Finnish-Russian consortium to build a nuclear power station, prompting the Greens to leave the government of Prime Minister Alexander Stubb.
Finland becomes world's first country to give its citizens a legal right to broadband internet.
May start-up date for OL3 nuclear reactor postponed until 2012. The project is also about $2.4bn (1.7bn euros) over budget.
Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari receives 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.
A 22-year-old gunman kills 11 people - including himself - in a shooting spree at a vocational college, prompting the government to impose stricter rules for handgun ownership.
Parliament approves EU's Lisbon Treaty.
Parliament narrowly approves construction of a fifth nuclear reactor, the first in Western Europe since 1991 and the first in the country for 30 years. Green Party decides to withdraw from government coalition in protest.
Euro replaces the Finnish mark.
Tarja Halonen elected as Finland's first female president.
Paavo Lipponen's social democrats are returned to power.
Social Democrat Kalevi Sorsa was prime minister four times between 1972-87
Finland becomes member of the European Union.
Economic difficulties as former Soviet and eastern European markets collapse.
Trade agreements signed with the European Economic Community and Comecon.
Finland joins United Nations and Nordic Council.
Urho Kekkonen becomes prime minister and is subsequently elected as president in 1956. He pursues a policy of friendly neutrality with the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Army invades. An armistice is signed in September. Finland concedes more land to the Soviet Union and agrees to pay war reparations.
Germany attacks USSR in June. Finland launches military campaign to retake territory.
Despite fierce resistance, the Finns are forced to concede. The Treaty of Moscow gives around 10% of Finnish territory to the Soviet Union.
Outbreak of World War Two. Finland declares its neutrality. In November the Soviet Union invades in the Winter War.
Finland becomes a republic. Kaarlo Stahlberg becomes first president.
Bitter civil war, which leads to some 30,000 deaths. A rebellion by left-wing Red Guards is put down by General Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.
The Russian Revolution allows Finland to declare its independence
Finland passes the Parliament Act, which establishes universal suffrage, including the right for women to stand for elected office, for the first time in Europe.
Russian Tsar Nicholas II inaugurates policy of Russification of Finland, including conscripting men into the Russian army and imposing Russian as the official language. Protests and a campaign of civil disobedience begin.
Finland is ceded to Russia by the Swedes. The Finns retain a considerable amount of autonomy. They keep their own legal system, religion, and are exempt from Russian military service.
Russian invasion of Sweden supported by Napoleon.
Territory of present-day Finland becomes part of the Swedish realm
Swedish crusades subjugate Finns and convert them to Christianity.