Zimbabwe gained independence on April 18, 1980 with Robert Mugabe as Prime Minister.

1987 – Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo merge their parties to form ZANU-PF.

1987 - Mugabe changes the Constitution and becomes executive President.

1999 - Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party formed.

2000 February - Squatters seize hundreds of white-owned farms.

2001 July - Western donors cut aid because of land seizure programme.

2003 November - Canaan Banana, Zimbabwe's first black President, dies aged 67.

2003 December - Zimbabwe pulls out of Commonwealth.

2005 November - MDC splits over its leader's decision to boycott polls.

2006 May – Continuous inflation exceeds 1,000 per cent. 

2008 June - Mugabe declared winner of run-off poll after Tsvangirai pulls out.

2008 September - Mugabe, Tsvangirai sign power-sharing agreement.

2009 January - Government allows use of foreign currencies to try to stem hyperinflation.

2009 February – Morgan Tsvangirai is sworn in as Prime Minister in coalition government.

2010 January – PM Tsvangirai urges the easing of targeted sanctions.

2010 March - New rule forces foreign-owned businesses to sell majority stake to locals.

2011 November - The Kimberly Process lifts ban on the export of diamonds from two fields.

2012 February – EU lifts sanctions on some prominent Zimbabweans.

2013 January – President Mugabe and PM Tsvangirai reach deal on draft Constitution.

2013 March - New constitution approved by an overwhelming majority in a referendum.

2013 June - President Mugabe announces general elections for July 31, 2013.  

Source: BBC