User:H2ppyme/Sandbox

This is a timeline of Estonian history, listing the key dates and events from the history of the Estonian land and the Estonian people. For background information on the events, see History of Estonia and List of rulers of Estonia.

The Mesolithic Period

 * c. 10000 BC: End of the last glacial era, Estonian territory becomes habitable.
 * c. 9200 BC: The Baltic Ice Lake breaks through a corridor at Mount Billingen in Sweden and the sea level starts to drop.
 * c. 9000 BC: The oldest known settlement in Pulli is inhabited.
 * c. 8000 BC: Mesolithic Kunda culture inhabits Estonia.

The Neolithic Period

 * c. 4000 BC: Beginning of Neolithic Narva culture.
 * c. 3500 BC: **First settlement of seal hunters at modern Tallinn.
 * c. 3000 BC:
 * Beginning of Comb Ceramic culture.


 * Ancestors of modern Estonians arrive to Estonia.
 * c. 2200 BC: Beginning of Corded Ware culture.

The Bronze Age

 * c. 1800 BC: Beginning of Bronze Age.
 * c. 1000 BC: First stone cist graves in Estonia date from that era.
 * c. 680 BC: A meteor disaster in Saaremaa, forming the Kaali crater.

The Iron Age

 * c. 500 BC: Beginning of Pre-Roman Iron Age.
 * c. 50 AD: Beginning of Roman Iron Age.
 * 98: Roman historian Tacitus writes in the book Germania about aesti tribes.
 * 2nd century: Ptolemy mentions the Oeselians in his book Geografia.
 * c. 450: End of Iron Age in Estonia.

Early Middle Ages

 * 6th century:
 * The Guta Saga tells how Vikings from Gotland sailed to Hiiumaa (Dagö) island and built a fortification there.
 * Roman historian Cassiodorus writes, that the people known to Tacitius as the Aestii were the Estonians.
 * 7th century: According to Ynglinga saga, Ingvar of Sweden invades Estonia, but is killed by an army of locals. Anund, his son, ravages Estonia in revenge.
 * 8th century: Saxo Grammaticus describes the Estonians as participating in the Battle of Bråvalla on the side of the Swedes against the Danes.
 * 862: Warring tribes of Chuds (Finnic tribes related to, or including, Estonians) and Slavs invite Viking leaders of Rurik, Sineus and Truvor to rule them, founding the county of Kievan Rus'. Truvor is sent to rule the town of Izborsk, near what is now the Estonian border with Russia.
 * 967: According Heimskringla, Olav Tryggvason, the future king of Norway, is captured by Estonian pirates, sold as a slave and later freed with the help of tax gatherers from Novgorod.
 * 972: A battle between Estonian and Icelandic Vikings in Saaremaa described in Njál's saga.
 * 1000-1200: Rapid population growth in Estonia based on cereal grains - barley, rye, wheat. Northernmost region for crop tillage as the primary means of subsistence. Population by early 13th century is at least 150,000 people.
 * c. 1000: Estonians of Rävala county establish a permanent fortification at modern Tallinn.
 * 1008: Olav Haraldsson, the future king of Norway, lands on Saaremaa (Ösel) island, wins a battle there and forces the inhabitants to pay tribute.
 * 1030: The first documented record of the Tartu by chroniclers of Kievan Rus. Prince Yaroslav the Wise of Kiev wins a battle against the Chuds, raids Tartu and establishes his own stronghold there named Yuryev.
 * 1061: Estonians of the sosol tribe destroy the castle of Yuryev and raid the Pskov region.
 * 1113: Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich of Kiev defeats the Chuds in a place called Boru (maybe Izborsk).
 * 1116: Mstislav Vladimirovich together with troops from Pskov and Novgorod raid the Chuds and conquer a castle in Otepää in Southern Estonia.
 * 1132: Vsevolod of Novgorod is defeated by the Estonians of Vaiga province.
 * 1134: Prince Vsevolod fights against the Chuds and captures the fortification of Yuryev.
 * 1154: Arab geographer Al Idrisi mentions Estonia and places that might be Tallinn, Pärnu and Hiiumaa.
 * 1170: Danish king Valdemar I fights with Curonian and Estonian pirates near Öland island.
 * 1177: Estonians attack Pskov during winter.
 * 1187: Pagan pirates of Estonians, Curonians and Karelians, ravage the Mälaren area in Sweden, burn down the city of Sigtuna, and kill the archbishop.
 * 1192: Prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich of Novgorod makes two raids against the Estonians, burning down Tartu and Otepää castles.
 * 1193: Pope Celestine III calls for a crusade against pagans in Northern Europe.
 * 1202: Livonian Crusade: Livonian Brothers of the Sword (Sword Brethen) military order is founded in Riga.
 * 1203: Oeselians ravage areas of Southern Sweden then belonging to Denmark. Later the returning pirates skirmish with the German settlers of Riga near the town of Visby in Gotland.
 * 1204: Pope Innocent III subjugates the Livonian Brothers of the Sword to the Bishop Albert of Livonia.
 * 1206: Livonian Crusade: Valdemar II of Denmark builds a fortress on the island of Saaremaa, but the Danes have to burn it down themselves after they find no volunteers to man it.
 * 1207: Livonian Crusade: The Livonian Brothers of the Sword and Bishop Albert of Livonia sign a treaty to give 1/3 of subjugated lands in Livonia to the Sword Brothers and 2/3 to the Catholic Church.
 * 1208: Livonian Crusade: The Sword Brothers, allied with Latgalians and Livs, raid Sakala and Ugandi counties in Southern Estonia, starting the "Estonian Ancient Fight for Freedom" or the Estonian Campaign of the Livonian Crusade.
 * 1210: Livonian Crusade: Estonians defeat the Sword Brethen in the Battle of Ümera.
 * 1211:
 * Livonian Crusade: Estonian victory over the Sword Brethen in the Battle of Viljandi.
 * Estonians raid the town of Pskov.
 * 1217:
 * Livonian Crusade:
 * United Estonian and Russian victory over the crusaders in the Battle of Otepää.
 * September 21: German crusaders, Latgalians and Livs defeat the Estonians in the Battle of St. Matthew's Day. Both Caupo of Turaida and Lembitu of Lehola, leader of the Estonians, are killed in the battle.

Danish Estonia (1219-1346)

 * 1219 Livonian Crusade: June 15: Danish crusaders led by King Valdemar II conquer Tallinn in the Battle of Lyndanisse. The Flag of Denmark allegedly falls from the sky during this battle. After the victory, the Danes build a castle on the hill of Toompea.
 * 1220:
 * Livonian Crusade:
 * The invading Swedish troops are defeated by Estonians in the Battle of Lihula.
 * Estonians siege the Danish castle in Tallinn for 14 days.
 * 1222: Livonian Crusade: Danes build a fortress in Saaremaa, but are besieged by locals and leave the island.
 * 1223:
 * Livonian Crusade:
 * All Germans are forced out of Estonia.
 * Estonians siege Tallinn.
 * 1224:
 * Livonian Crusade:
 * Germans conquer the stronghold of Tartu from Ugaunian and Russian troops. All mainland Estonia is under foreign rule.
 * Bishopric of Dorpat is established.
 * 1227:
 * Livonian Crusade:
 * A crusader army crosses the frozen sea and conquers the last pagan stronghold on the island of Saaremaa, ending the "Estonian Ancient Fight for Freedom" or the Estonian Campaign of the Livonian Crusade.
 * The Sword Brothers conquer entire Northern Estonia from Denmark.

Danish Estonia (1219-1346) and the Livonian Confederation (1228-1560)

 * 1228: The Livonian Confederation is established, consisting of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, Bishopric of Dorpat and the newly established Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek on Estonian territory.
 * 1230: A Papal Legate, Balduin de Alna, takes control over Northern Estonia.
 * 1233: A battle in Tallinn: Livonian Brothers of the Sword kill c. 100 Papal vassals, who have taken control over Northern Estonia.
 * 1236: Saaremaa islanders rebell after the Order's defeat to Lithuanians in the Battle of Saule.
 * 1237: Following the defeat in the Battle of Saule, the Livonian Brothers of the Sword merge into the Teutonic Order and become known as its autonomous subbranch, the Livonian Order.
 * 1238: According to the Treaty of Stensby, Northern Estonia is given to Denmark.
 * 1240-1241: An army of the Livonian Order, Danes and Estonians invades Votia, Novgorod and Pskov.
 * 1241: Danish Census Book is completed.
 * 1242: An army of Livonian knights and Estonians is defeated in the Battle of the Ice by an army from Novgorod commanded by Alexander Nevsky
 * 1248 May 15: Tallinn (Reval) recieves the Lübeck city rights.
 * c. 1251: Old-Pärnu (Alt-Pernau) is founded by the bishop of Ösel-Wiek.
 * 1253: A united army of Novgorod and Karelians raids Eastern Estonia.
 * 1255:
 * An army from Novgorod raids Eastern Estonia.
 * A truce is signed between the Order and the Saaremaa islanders, which means that the locals have taken control over the island somewhere between 1241 and 1255.
 * 1260: The Order is defeated by Samogitians in the Battle of Durbe. The locals, once again, take control over Saaremaa.
 * 1261: Order's control over Saaremaa is restored.
 * 1262: Prince Dmitri of Pereslavl, son of Alexander Nevsky launches an assault on Tartu (Dorpat), capturing and destroying the town.
 * 1263: Lithuanians commanded by Duchy of Samogitian ruler Treniota destroy Old-Pärnu.
 * 1265: Pärnu (Embeck or Neu-Pernau) is founded by the Livonian Order.
 * 1267: A Novgorod army raids Rakvere.
 * 1268: The Livonian Order is defeated by Russians in the Battle of Rakovor.
 * 1270: The Livonian Order is defeated by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the Battle of Karuse.
 * 1271: First known Swedish village in Estonia, Haabneeme.
 * 1285: Tallinn becomes the northernmost member of the Hanseatic League. Around that time, Tartu also becomes a member of the League.
 * 1291: Paide (Weissenstein) is officially founded.
 * 1294:
 * An army from Novgorod burns down Narva.
 * Earliest written mention of Estonian Swedes.
 * 1297: Livonian civil war between Riga and the Order begins.
 * 1302: Rakvere (Wesenberg) is granted Lübeck city rights.
 * 1315: Crop failures in Northern Estonia, resulting in a famine.
 * 1318: Pärnu is granted city rights.
 * 1322: Lithuanians raid the Bishopric of Tartu.
 * 1329: Tartu is burned down.
 * 1330: The Order takes control over Riga, ending the civil war.
 * 1333: First mention of a Jewish population in Tallinn.
 * 1335: A great fire in Tartu.
 * 1341: Narva is burned down by a Novgorod army.
 * 1343:
 * April 23: Estonians in Northern and Western Estonia rise up against the German upper class, starting the St.George's Night Uprising.
 * Insurgents conquer Padise monastery and kill 28 monks there.
 * May 4: Four elected Estonian "kings" are killed in Paide during peace negotiations.
 * May 11: Battle of Kimmole takes place near Tallinn, between Estonians and the Livonian Order.
 * May 14: Estonians, who had been seizing Tallinn, are defeated in the Battle of Kanavere against the Order. The uprising is forced down on the mainland.
 * A Pskov army raids villages up to Otepää, where they fight with the Order.
 * 1344: Vesse, the elder of Saaremaa, is put to death by the Order.
 * 1345:
 * Narva is granted Lübeck city rights.
 * The uprising is forced down in Saaremaa.
 * 1346: Waldemar IV of Denmark sells its possessions in Northern Estonia to the Livonian Order.

The Livonian Confederation (1228-1560)

 * c. 1350: First plague arrives to Livonia.
 * 1367: For the third time, Narva is burned down by Russians.
 * 1371: A Pskov army raids Livonia.
 * 1396: A short war between the Bishop of Tartu and the Master of the Order, resulting with the Masters victory.
 * c. 1400: Viljandi (Fellin) becomes a member of the Hanseatic Union.
 * 1406: A Pskov army raids Livonia.
 * 1407:
 * A Pskov army raids Eastern Estonia.
 * The Pirita monastery is founded.
 * 1419: The Livonian diet is formed, situating in Valga (Walk).
 * 1443-1448: A war between the Order and Novgorod.
 * 1480-1481: A war between the Order and Pskov.
 * The Order invades Pskov twice.
 * Russians raid Livonia and burn down Viljandi.
 * 1492: Russians build the Ivangorod fortress.
 * 1501: The Order invades Pskov twice in the Livonian-Muscovite War. Russians raid Livonia during winter.
 * 1503: Soon after Livonian victory in the Battle of Smolina, the war ends.
 * 1521: Reformation arrives to Livonia.
 * 1523: Reformation arrives to Estonia.
 * 1524: Churches are looted in Tallinn.
 * 1525: Lutheran manuscript, the oldest known Estonian language book is printed, which never reaches the reader and is destroyed by the Catholic town council of Lübeck immediately after publication.
 * 1530: A weather vane, the figure of Old Thomas is put on top of the spire of Tallinn's Town Hall.
 * 1533: First mention of a Gypsy population in Estonia.
 * 1535: The Wanradt-Koell Catechism, the oldest preserved Estonian language book, is printed.
 * 1536: First mentioning of the name Tallinn (Talyna).
 * 1558:
 * January 22: Ivan the Terrible demands a back-breaking tribute from the Bishopric of Dorpat. After failed negotiations, Russian forces invade the Bishopric, starting the Livonian War.
 * May 11: After a fire, Russians capture Narva.
 * July 18: Russians capture Tartu.
 * Russians capture Rakvere, but fail to capture Paide.
 * The Order counterattacks in autumn.
 * 1559:
 * Gotthard Kettler becomes the last Master of the Livonian Order.
 * King Frederick II of Denmark buys the lands of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek and gives the lands to his brother, Duke Magnus of Holstein.

The Livonian Confederation (1228-1560) and Danish Ösel (1559-1645)

 * 1560:
 * The Bishop of Reval (Tallinn) gives the Bishopric of Reval to Duke Magnus.
 * August 2: A crushing Russian victory over the Livonian Order in the Battle of Ergeme.
 * August 21: Russians capture Viljandi.
 * After Russians fail to siege Paide and are defeated in Tallinn, they raid Läänemaa.
 * Peasants riot in Harjumaa and Läänemaa due to the state's incapability to protect them from Russian raids.
 * 1561:
 * June 4: Northern Estonia surrenders to Sweden.
 * June 6: Tallinn surrenders to Sweden.
 * November 28: The Livonian Order is dissolved with the Wilno Pact. Southern Estonia falls under Grand Duchy of Lithuania as the Duchy of Livonia.
 * A plague hits Estonia.

Swedish Estonia (1561–1721), Duchy of Livonia (1561–1629) and Danish Ösel (1559-1645)

 * 1562: Swedish forces capture Pärnu.
 * 1563: The Northern Seven Years' War breaks out between Sweden and a coalition of Denmark, Poland and Lithuania.
 * 1566: A plague hits Estonia.
 * 1567 February 13:Battle of Runafer takes place between Sweden and Poland near Ruunavere mill on the land of Pajaka manor. Polish forces win and raid villages in Harjumaa and Läänemaa.
 * 1569: Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is formed, also controlling the Duchy of Livonia.
 * 1570:
 * June 10: Kingdom of Livonia is created as a client state of Russia, with Duke Magnus appointed as king. He is sent to siege Tallinn, but gives up the struggle to capture the town the next year.
 * December 13: Treaty of Stettin brings an end to the Northern Seven Years' War.
 * 1571: A plague hits Estonia.
 * 1573: Russians capture Paide.
 * 1574: Russians and Tatars raid villages around Tallinn.
 * 1575: Russian forces capture Pärnu and raid Western Estonia and the islands.
 * 1576: Russians capture Haapsalu and raid areas around Tallinn.
 * 1577 January 23: Russian forces siege Tallinn, but are forced to retreat in fear of a Tatar invasion to Russia on March 13. During the siege, Russians burn down the Pirita monastery. Ivo Schenkenberg, an Estonian guerrilla commander, raids lands that are under Russian controll.
 * 1578: Magnus of Livonia recognizes the sovereignty of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, is attacked by Russian forces and taken prisoner.
 * 1579:
 * Russians raid areas around Tallinn.
 * After a failed attempt to attack a Tatar army in Rakvere, Ivo Schenkenberg is captured and later killed.
 * 1580: Russians are defeated near Wenden.
 * 1581:
 * Swedes capture Läänemaa from Russians.
 * November 6: A mercenary army of Sweden under Pontus de la Gardie wins the Battle of Narva, capturing the town from Russians.
 * 1582 January 15: Signing of the Treaty of Jam Zapolski ends the war between Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Russia renounces its claims to Livonia.
 * 1583:
 * August 10: Treaty of Plussa ends the war between the Tsardom of Russia and Sweden. Narva and Ingria are given to Sweden.
 * A Jesuit grammar school Gymnasium Dorpatenseis founded in Tartu by Polish King Stefan Batory.
 * 1590 January 18: After the Treaty of Plussa expires, Russian troops siege Narva and ravage Estonia in the Russo-Swedish War of 1590–1595.
 * 1595 May 18: The Treaty of Tyavzino is signed between Sweden and Russia, giving Ingria back to Russia.
 * 1598: Duchy of Livonia is divided into administrative divisions, including Parnawa and Dorpat Voivodeships on Estonian territory.
 * 1600: The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, hoping to gain land possessions in Estonia, starts a war with Sweden. Swedish army however, takes control over the entire Estonian territory.
 * 1601:
 * Polish-Lithuanian victory over Sweden in the Battle of Kokenhusen.
 * Polish-Lithuanian forces capture Viljandi.
 * 1601-1603 Plague and Famine: killed about half Estonian population.
 * 1602:
 * March 25-May 7: Siege of Viljandi
 * June 30 Battle of Reval
 * May 30-September 30: Siege of Paide
 * Polish-Lithuanian forces defeat a Swedish reinforcement force sent in to help Tartu, which is forced to surrender. Swedish control has reduced to a few towns only.
 * 1603:
 * March 5: Battle of Rakvere
 * 1604: Polish-Lithuanian forces capture Tartu again and defeat the Swedes near Paide.
 * September 25: Battle of Weissenstein
 * 1608: Swedes capture Viljandi and invade further into Livonia.
 * 1609: Polish-Lithuanian forces capture Pärnu and defeat the Swedes several times.
 * February 28-March 2: Siege of Pärnu
 * 1611: A truce ends the war between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Sweden.
 * 1617 February 27: The Treaty of Stolbovo ends the Ingrian War of 1610-1617, giving Ingria back to Swedish controll and cutting off Russian access to the Baltic Sea.
 * 1617-1618: Another war between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Sweden, resulting in Pärnu falling to the Swedes.
 * 1620: Estonian population under 100 000.
 * 1621: King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden captures Riga, after a four week siege, the city surrenders on 25 September and most of Livonia becomes Swedish.
 * 1622: The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, occupied by another war with the Ottoman Empire, is forced to sign the Truce of Mitawa, giving all lands north of Daugava River to Sweden.
 * 1625: Another war breaks out between Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Swedish commander Jacob de la Gardie captures Tartu and Southern Estonia.
 * 1629: Truce of Altmark ends the war and retains Sweden its possessions as Swedish Livonia.

Swedish Estonia (1561–1721) and Danish Ösel (1559-1645)

 * 1630: A gymnasium is founded in Tartu.
 * 1632: Foundation of the University of Tartu (Academia Gustaviana) by the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus.
 * 1642 Plague
 * 1643-1645: Torstenson War between Denmark and Sweden.
 * 1645: Saaremaa is ceded from Denmark to Sweden by the Treaty of Brömsebro.

Swedish Estonia (1561–1721)

 * 1656: A war breaks out between Sweden and Russia. Russian forces capture Tartu.
 * 1656-1657 Plague in North Estonia
 * 1658: The Treaty of Valiesar ends the war and allows Russia to keep the conquered Livonian territories, including Tartu, for three years.
 * 1660: The Treaty of Oliva is signed, John II Casimir of Poland is forced to renounce his claim to the Swedish throne and acknowledge Swedish sovereignty over Livonia and the city of Riga after the Deluge.
 * 1661: The Treaty of Cardis is signed, Russia surrenders all captured territories to Sweden.
 * 1680-1700 Most estates of nobles and vassals of the Livonian Order confiscated by the Swedish states.
 * 1695-1697: The Great Famine of Estonia (also The great starvation) kills about a fifth of Estonian population (70,000 – 75,000 people from over 350,000).
 * 1700
 * February 22: Saxon forces attack Riga in Swedish Livonia, starting the Great Northern War.
 * August: Saxon forces capture some Swedish territories in Livonia and siege Riga.
 * August 30: Russia declares war on Sweden and invades Swedish Finland and Ingria.
 * September 23: Russian forces arrive at Narva.
 * November 30: Battle of Narva, where the Swedish army under King Charles XII defeats the Russian army.
 * 1701: Russians raid Southern Estonia.
 * 1702:
 * January 9: Battle of Erastfer, first significant Russian victory over Swedes.
 * July 29: Russian victory in the Battle of Hummelshof, Swedes retreat to Pärnu. After the battle, Russians burn down c. 1000 villages.
 * 1703:
 * May: Russians capture Neva river and the construction of St Petersburg begins.
 * August 7: A Battle at Lake Peipus, Swedish fleet sinks a fleet of Russian boats and maintains control of the lake for the rest of the year.
 * Russians raid Estonia, burning down c. 1500 villages.
 * 1704:
 * May 14: Russia defeats Sweden in the Battle of Kastre.
 * July 24: Russian troops under czar Peter the Great capture Tartu.
 * August 20: Russians capture Narva, which is looted and many of its inhabitants are killed.
 * 1707: Russians raid Southern Estonia and burn down Valga.
 * 1708: On the orders of czar Peter the Great, Tartu is completely destroyed. Citizens of Tartu and Narva are deported to Russia, where most of them die.
 * 1709 July 8: Swedish defeat in the Battle of Poltava signals the end of Swedish supremacy on the eastern shores of the Batic Sea.
 * 1709-1710: Estonian famine of 1709–1710.
 * 1710:
 * July 15: Russians capture Riga.
 * August 23: Russians capture Pärnu.
 * September 26: Russians capture Kuressaare.
 * October 10: Russians capture Tallinn and the Great Northern War is brought to an end on the Estonian territory. After signing the Capitulation Act in Harku manor, Estonia goes under the Russian control.
 * 1710-1713: The last great plague scourging Estonia, kills 200,000 or about half the population, only ca 150,000 people survive.
 * 1713: Riga Governorate is created out of Swedish Livonia.
 * 1719:
 * June 4: Russian naval victory over Sweden in the Battle of Osel Island near Saaremaa.
 * Reval Governorate is created out of Swedish Estonia.
 * 1721: Treaty of Nystad (Uusikaupunki) ends the war and gives Estonia, Livonia and Ingria to Russia.

Russian Estonia and Livonia (1721-1917)

 * 1739: The Bible is translated into Estonian.
 * 1787-1789 Famine: Estonian famine of 1787–1789
 * 1790 May 13 (May 2 OS): The naval Battle of Reval takes place during the Russo-Swedish War, off the port of Reval and ends with Russian victory.
 * 1796: Governorates of Reval and Riga are renamed to Governorates of Estonia and Livonia, respectively.
 * 1801 March 14: Kristjan Jaak Peterson, commonly regarded as a herald of Estonian literature is born. His birthday is celebrated as the Mother Tongue Day.
 * 1802: The University of Tartu is reopened.
 * 1806-1808 Famine: Estonian famine of 1806–1808: Crop failures and famine in Estonia
 * 1816 March 23: Serfdom is abolished in the Governorate of Estonia.
 * 1819 March 26: Serfdom is abolished in the Governorate of Livonia.
 * 1838: The Learned Estonian Society is founded.
 * 1840s: Introduction of potatoes in Estonia put an end to recurring famines
 * 1844-1845 Famine: European Potato Famine
 * 1848: Fredrik Pacius composes a melody, that would later become the national anthem of Estonia.
 * 1857: Perno Postimees is first published by Johann Voldemar Jannsen, marking the beginning of Estonian National Awakening.
 * 1862: Estonian national epic Kalevipoeg, written by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald, is published.
 * 1865 June 24: The Vanemuine Society is founded.
 * 1867-1869 Famine: Estonian famine of 1866–1868
 * 1869: First Estonian Song Festival takes place in Tartu. At the song festival, Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm, is first presented to the public and will become a symbol of the National Awakening. The words for this melody, composed by Fredrik Pacius, were written by Johann Voldemar Jannsen, who also organized the festival.
 * 1870 June 24: The Vanemuine theatre performs a play called The cousin from Saaremaa (Saaremaa Onupoeg) by Lydia Koidula, marking the beginning of the Estonian national theatre.
 * 1878:
 * Carl Robert Jakobson establishes the newspaper Sakala.
 * Tallinn and Toompea are unified into a single town.
 * 1884 June 4: The blue, black and white flag, that will become the flag of Estonia, is consecrated in Otepää as the flag of Estonian Students' Society.
 * 1889: Beginning of Russification.
 * 1891: Postimees becomes the first daily newspaper in Estonia.
 * 1897
 * May 13: A military train derails in Puka, killing 61 people.
 * According to a census, the population of Estonia is 958,351 (excluding Narva, Valga and Petseri).
 * 1898: Tartu is renamed Yuryev.
 * 1900 November 26: First ethnic Estonian stundent corporation, Vironia, is founded.
 * 1917:
 * March 8: February Revolution begins in Saint Petersburg.
 * March 15:
 * Russian Tsar Nicholas II abdicates his throne and establishes a new Provisional Government..
 * Workers riot in Tallinn.
 * March 18: Russian Provisional government assigns Jaan Poska, the mayor of Tallinn, as the first Estonian-born Governor of the Governorate of Estonia.
 * April 8: About 40,000 Estonians march in Saint Petersburg, requesting a national autonomy.
 * April 12: The northern part of the Governorate of Livonia is merged with the Governorate of Estonia to form the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. Maapäev is elected as a provincial assembly and Jaan Poska continues as the governor.
 * July 14: First meeting of the Maapäev assembly.
 * September 3: German forces capture Riga.
 * October 11: German forces occupy Saaremaa.
 * October 20: German forces occupy Hiiumaa.
 * November 7: Bolsheviks take control from the Russian Provisional Government and the Russian SFSR is established.
 * November 9: Estonian Bolshevik leader Viktor Kingissepp takes power from governor Jaan Poska in an anti-democratic coup d'état in Tallinn.
 * November 28: Maapäev proclaims itself the supreme legal authority of Estonia.
 * December 2: Bolsheviks take control in Estonia.
 * December 6: Finland declares its independence.
 * 1918:
 * February 14: Estonia switches from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar, date skips from February 1 to February 14.
 * February 16:
 * The Council of Lithuania adopts the Act of Independence, declaring Lithuania's independence from the Russian Empire.
 * Estonian becomes the only official language in Estonia.
 * February 18: German forces begin landing on Estonian mainland territory.
 * February 19: The Estonian Salvation Committee is founded. It's members are Salvation Konstantin Päts, Jüri Vilms and Konstantin Konik.
 * February 21: German forces capture Haapsalu.
 * February 22: German forces capture Valga.
 * February 23:
 * Estonian Declaration of Independence is proclaimed in Pärnu.
 * Estonian Bolshevik leaders evacuate to Russia.

German Occupation

 * 1918
 * February 24:
 * The Estonian Declaration of Independence is proclaimed in Tallinn. Konstantin Päts becomes the Prime Minister of the Estonian Provisional Government.
 * World War I: German forces capture Pärnu, Viljandi and Tartu.
 * February 25: German forces capture Tallinn.
 * March 3: Russia and the Central Powers sign peace with the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. At first, only Estonian islands are given to Germany, although they are occupying most of the mainland already.
 * March 4: German forces capture Narva.
 * March 5: German forces now occupy the entire Estonian territory.
 * April 12: A Provincial Assembly in Riga calls upon creating the United Baltic Duchy.
 * April 13: Jüri Vilms, a member of the Salvation Committee, is executed in Helsinki under unknown circumstances.
 * May 3: Great Britain de facto recognizes Estonian independence.
 * May 13: France de facto recognizes Estonian independence.
 * May 29: Italy de facto recognizes Estonian independence.
 * August 27: Russia renounces its claims to Estonia and Livonia.
 * September 22: Germany recognizes the sovereign United Baltic Duchy.

Democratic Republic

 * 1918:
 * November 11: Germans begin withdrawal and turn over power to the provisional government of Estonia (headed by Konstantin Päts).
 * November 13: Russia renounces the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and prepares to reconquer the lands lost with the treaty.
 * November 16: Estonian army (Rahvavägi) is formed and the provisional government calls for a voluntary mobilization.
 * November 18: Latvia declares its independence.
 * November 22: The Red Army's attack on Narva is met by both German forces and Estonian defenders.
 * November 26: Red Army captures Pskov.

War of Independence

 * 1918:
 * November 28: Red Army captures Narva. This marks the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence.
 * November 29:
 * A socialist republic is established in Narva.
 * The provisional government of Estonia declares a state of war and a cumpulsory mobilization. It also bans the Communist Party.
 * November 30: Estonian mark, equivalent to the German Papiermark, becomes the official currency of Estonia.
 * December 12:
 * The Estonian flag is raised atop of the Pikk Hermann tower for the first time.
 * British Royal Navy squadron commanded by Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair arrives off Tallinn.
 * December 17: Red Army captures Valga.
 * December 21: Red Army captures Tartu.
 * 1919:
 * January 2:
 * The British donate two destroyers, that they have captured from the Soviets, to Estonia.
 * 3500 Finnish volunteers arrive to Estonia.
 * January 7: Estonian forces begin a counteroffensive.
 * January 12: Estonian forces capture Rakvere, where they find a mass grave with 82 victims of the Red Terror in it.
 * January 14: Estonian forces capture Tartu.
 * January 17: Ruhnu islanders agree to become part of the Republic of Estonia.
 * January 19: Estonian forces capture Narva.
 * January 31: Estonian victory over the Red Army in the Battle of Paju near Valga.
 * February 1: Estonian forces capture Võru and Valga and the Red Army is forced out of Estonia.
 * February 2: Julius Kuperjanov, an Estonian military commander, dies of wounds gotten in the Battle of Paju. His battallion is named after him.
 * February 4: Estonian forces capture Petseri.
 * February 13: 178 Swedish volunteers arrive to Estonia.
 * February 16: Red Army begins a counteroffensive.
 * February 16 - February 21: A riot in Saaremaa, against the Baltic Germans and the Estonian government, is forced down urgently, killing 163 people.
 * February 24: On the first anniversary of the republis, the Bank of Estonia, Estonian Red Cross and the Cross of Liberty are founded. The latter, to honor people for their services during the war.
 * March 17-March 23: Red Army reaches close to Võru.
 * April 1: The Supreme Court of Estonia is founded.
 * April 4: 189 Danish volunteers arrive to Estonia.
 * April 5 - April 7: Elections for the Estonian Constituent Assembly.
 * April 17: Another counteroffensive of the Red Army.
 * April 23: Opening session of the Estonian Constituent Assembly.
 * April 25: Artillery fire of the Red Army leaves 2000 people in Narva homeless.
 * May 9: Otto August Strandmann becomes the 1st Prime Minister of Estonia.
 * May 13: Russian White Army begins an offensive from behind the Narva River towards Saint Petersburg.
 * May 22: German Landeswehr captures Riga.
 * May 25: Estonian forces capture Pskov.
 * June 5:
 * Estonian Workers Commune is disestablished.
 * Beginning of the Landeswehr War between the German Landeswehr and the united Estonian and Latvian armies.
 * June 6: Landeswehr captures Cēsis.
 * June 19: The advancing Red Army forces the White Army to retreat.
 * June 19 - June 23: Estonian and Latvian forces defeat the Landeswehr in the Battle of Wenden near Cēsis. June 23 is celebrated as Victory Day in Estonia.
 * June 30 - July 3: Estonian Navy blocks the German-occupied Riga.
 * July 3: Germans leave Riga.
 * August 4 - August 11: Estonian forces stop the advancing Red Army.
 * August 25: Estonian army retreats and hands Pskov over to the White Army.
 * August 31: Soviet Russia offers a peace proposal.
 * October 10: Agrarian Law is passed, redistributing many of the estates owned by Baltic Germans.
 * October 10 - October 21: The White Army advances on Saint Petersburg, capturing Tsarskoye Selo.
 * October 21: The advancing Red Army forces the White Army to retreat.
 * November 11: Estonia cuts off its ties with the White Army.
 * November 19: The White Army is disarmed in Estonia.
 * December 7 - December 20: The Red Army attacks Narva.
 * December 28 - December 30: The Red Army launches its last, unsuccessful attacks on Narva.
 * December 31: An armistice is signed between Estonia and the Soviet Russia.
 * 1920:
 * February 2: Treaty of Tartu is signed, ending the war between Estonia and Russian SFSR and establishing the border between the two countries. Russia also recognizes Estonia de jure.

Democratic Republic

 * 1920:
 * June 7: Finland recognizes Estonia de jure.
 * August 29: Alfred Neuland wins the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia.
 * June 15: The first Constitution of Estonia is adopted.
 * July 3: British Colonel Stephen Tallents establishes the border between Estonia and Latvia. Valga proper remains under Estonian rule.
 * October 20: Estonia national football team plays its first international, losing 0:6 to Finland.
 * November 5: The Communist Party of Estonia is formed.
 * November 27 - November 29: First elections to the Riigikogu, the parliament of Estonia, take place.
 * December 16: The League of Nations rejects Estonia's (and some other new countries') appeal to join the league, because of French and British fears of following the Article X of the Covenant of the League of Nations.
 * December 31: Poland recognizes Estonia de jure.
 * 1921:
 * January 26: Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Belgium recognize Estonia de jure.
 * February 5: Sweden, Denmark and Norway recognize Estonia de jure.
 * May 1: Estonia and Finland go over to UTC+2 Eastern European Time.
 * July 7: Germany recognizes Estonia de jure.
 * September 22: Estonia joins the League of Nations.
 * 1922:
 * May 3: Viktor Kingissepp, an Estonian communist, is executed by Estonian officials.
 * July 28: The United States recognizes Estonia de jure.
 * September 21: A new expressionist style parliamentary building is completed in Toompea.
 * December 28: According to the first census in independent Estonia, the population in the republic is 1,107,059, of which 87.7% are Estonians.
 * December 30: The Soviet Union is formed.
 * 1923:
 * February 17 - February 19: 72% of Estonians support voluntary religious education at elementary schools in a referendum.
 * April 1: Italy becomes the first country to establish visa free travel for Estonians.
 * November 1: Estonia and Latvia sign a political and military co-operation treaty.
 * December 8: The Estonian Olympic Committee is founded.
 * 1924:
 * June 3: A passenger train derails near Jõgeva, killing 10 people. The exact cause for the accident remains unknown.
 * July 4: A post train derails near Jõgeva. Due to broken railway, 11 people are killed.
 * July 31: Eduard Reinkubjas, who had been planning a fascist coup, is arrested. During investigation, his connections with communists are revealed.
 * November 10 - November 27: Trial of the 149 against communists, accused of high treason and preparing for a coup. One of the defendants is sentenced to death and executed on November 14. Seven are acquitted of all charges and the rest are sentenced to forced labour or prison.
 * December 1: A failed communist coup attempt in Tallinn is forced down by the army. 21 people are killed on the government side and 21 on the communist side. A total of 155 insurgents are sentenced to death and 209 to prison.
 * 1925:
 * February 12: The government passes a law on the cultural autonomy of minorities. This applies to Germans, Jews, Russians and Swedes.
 * June 19: The Coat of arms of Estonia is adopted.
 * July 10 - July 27: Trials over 78 communists in Tartu. One is sentenced to death, others to prison.
 * October 3 - October 5: The first German Cultural Council is elected.
 * 1926:
 * May 23 - May 25: The first Jewish Cultural Council is elected, Estonia being the first country in Europe where Jews have cultural authonomy.
 * November 26: Nõmme is granted city rights.
 * December 17: According to official census, there are 155,666 Estonians in the Soviet Union.
 * 1928:
 * January 1: Estonian kroon becomes the currency of Estonia. It replaces the mark at a rate of 100 marka = 1 kroon. The kroon is subdivided into 100 senti, equal to the old mark.
 * September 8: First national Estonian opera, Vikerlased (The Vikings) by Evald Aav, is staged at the Estonia Theatre.
 * 1929:
 * January 1: Estonia goes over to the Metric system.
 * February 9: Estonia, Latvia and the Soviet Union, among other countries sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact, which renounces war as an instrument of national policy.
 * 1932:
 * May 4: Estonia and the Soviet Union sign a non-aggression pact.
 * August 13 - August 15: 50.8% of Estonians reject the adoption of a new constitution in a referendum.
 * December 15: Estonia stops repaying its depts to the United States because of economical difficulties.
 * 1933:
 * June 10 - June 12: 67,3% of Estonians oppose another new constitution in a referendum.
 * June 27: Estonian kroon is devaluated.
 * August 11: The Vaps Movement and other organizations are closed down and all publications are put under censorship.
 * August 19: Newspapers begin boycotting the government because of the censorship.
 * October 14 - October 16: 72.7% of Estonians approve the new constitutional reform in a referendum. With the new constitutional reform, initiated by the Vaps Movement, Estonia would replace the parliamentary democracy with presidential democracy.
 * October 19: Censorship is annulled.
 * October 21: Konstantin Päts forms a non-aligned transitional government.
 * October 28: The Vaps Movement is reestablished.
 * December 5: German National Socialist Movement is declared to be illegal in Estonia.
 * 1934:
 * January 24: The second constitution enters into force.
 * March 1: According to the second census in independent Estonia, the population in the republic is 1,126,413, of which 88.1% are Estonians.
 * March 11: The Vaps Movement threatens to take the power by force, if their candidate Andres Larka will not win the presidential elections.

Authoritarian regime

 * 1934:
 * March 12: A coup d'état by State Elder Konstantin Päts and General Johan Laidoner. A State of Emergency is declared and many members of the Vaps Movement are imprisoned. The parliament approves the coup, hoping it would defend democracy.
 * March 16: The parliament ceases to function.
 * March 22: The Vaps Movement is closed down.
 * April 4: The Baltic States and Finland (on April 7) extend their non-aggression pacts with the Soviet Union until December 31 1945.
 * May 15: Kārlis Ulmanis leads a coup in Latvia.
 * September 12: The Baltic Entente is formed between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania,
 * September 17: Estonianization of personal names in Estonia begins. By 1940, 200,000 people have changed their names.
 * September 22: All political parties are prohibited to function.
 * October 2: The Parliament is disbanded.
 * November 17: Artur Sirk, leader of the Vaps Movement, escapes from prison and flees abroad.
 * December 21: The press is put under censorship. Beginning of the Era of Silence.
 * 1935:
 * February 22: A new political organization Isamaaliit is formed.
 * March 5: All parties and political meetings are banned.
 * December 7: 772 members of the Vaps Movement, who had been planning a coup on the next day, are arrested. This marks the end of the Vaps Movement.
 * 1936:
 * February 4: Soviet Border Troops arrest 17 Estonian fishers on Lake Peipus.
 * February 5: Three Soviet airplanes fly over Narva and Estonian forces open fire.
 * February 23 - February 25: In a referendum, 76.1% of Estonians support Konstantin Päts to assemble a council to change the constitution.
 * May 6 - May 25: Trials over 154 members of the Vaps Movement, its main organizers are sentenced to 20 years of forced labour.
 * June 15: Army laboratory explodes near Tallinn, killing 60 people.
 * July 7: Vickers-Armstrongs completes two Estonian submarines, Kalev and Lembit.
 * 1937:
 * April 20: 17 students die and 50 are injured in Kilingi-Nõmme, after a cinefilm takes fire in an elementary school.
 * September 3: A four month period of transition begins until the new constitution enters into force. Konstantin Päts remains in power as President-Regent.

Democratic Republic

 * 1938:
 * January 1: The new constitution enters into force, ending the authoritarian regime. Estonia becomes a presidential republic.
 * January 19: Two Soviet Border Guards are killed in a fire on Lake Peipus.
 * January 28: Estonian Academy of Sciences is founded.
 * February 8: Soviet Border Guards kill three Estonian Border Guards on Lake Peipus.
 * February 15: Two Soviet pilots flee to Estonia by their airplanes.
 * February 24 - February 25: A new parliament, first after the authoritarian regime, is elected.
 * April 24: Konstantin Päts becomes the first President of Estonia.
 * May 7: All political prisoners, mainly communists and members of the Vaps Movement are released.
 * December 3: Estonia declares its neutrality. Latvia and Lithuania follow soon
 * 1939:
 * January 1: Population of Estonia is 1,133,940.
 * May 24: A fire in Petseri kills 9 and leaves 1500 homeless.
 * June 7: Estonia and Latvia sign a non-aggression pact with Germany.
 * August 23: Germany and the Soviet Union sign the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, in which they divide Europe between the two countries. Finland, Estonia, Latvia and eastern Poland are given to the Soviet Union's sphere of influence.
 * September 1: Germany invades Poland, World War II begins. The Nordic and the Baltic States declare their neutrality.
 * September 6: Estonian kroon is pegged with the Swedish krona.
 * September 14: Polish submarine Orzeł arrives to Tallinn, it is thereafter interned by Estonians.
 * September 17: Soviet Union invades Poland.
 * September 18:
 * Polish submarine Orzeł escapes from Tallinn. The Soviet Union and Germany question Estonia's neutrality and Soviet ships are sent to Estonian waters to search for the submarine.
 * An escaped Polish airplane lands near Tartu.
 * September 24: The Soviet Union sends an ultimatum to Estonia,demanding military bases and to station 25,000 Soviet troops on Estonian soil for the duration of the European war.
 * September 26: Soviet bombers patrol over Tallinn and the nearby countryside.
 * September 28:
 * Estonia accepts the ultimatum and signs a 10-year Mutual Assistance Pact with the Soviet Union. Stalin promises to respect Estonian independence.
 * German-Soviet Boundary and Friendship Treaty is signed, adding Lithuania to the Soviet sphere of influence.
 * Polish army capitulates.
 * October 5:
 * Latvia signs a 10-year Mutual Assistance Pact with the Soviet Union.
 * The Finnisn government refuses the Soviet demands to build a naval base in Finland.
 * October 6: Hitler calls for Germans abroad to repatriate to their ethnic homeland. 12,000-18,000 Germans
 * October 10: Lithuania signs a 15-year Mutual Assistance Pact with the Soviet Union.
 * October 11: Following the Soviet demands, all media is put under censorship in Estonia.
 * October 12: Jüri Uluots becomes the Prime Minister of Estonia.
 * October 18:
 * First Soviet forces enter Estonia.
 * First Baltic Germans leave from Estonia. A total of 12,660 Baltic Germans (75% of the entire minority population) have left by May 18 1940.
 * October 29: First Soviet forces enter Latvia.
 * November 30: The Soviet Union attacks Finland, starting the Winter War.
 * December 1: Estonia declares its neutrality in the Winter War. This is of no real importance, since the Soviet Union is using its military bases in Estonia to attack Finland.
 * December 14: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations. Baltic representatives decide to stay neutral, upsetting both Finland and the Soviet Union.
 * December 25: Finland accuses Estonia for breaking its neutrality, when it allowed the Soviet Navy to stay in Tallinn port. Finnish submarine Vesihiisi lays mines at the port of Paldiski, the location of a Soviet naval base.
 * 1940:
 * January 1:
 * Population of Estonia is 1,125,075.
 * The German Cultural Council is disbanded, following the departure of the Germans.
 * January 17: All time cold record is measured near Jõgeva, -43.5°C.
 * March 13: The Moscow Peace Treaty ends the Winter War. Finland is forced to cede some of its territories to the Soviet Union.
 * June 10: All inhabitants of Paldiski are forced to leave, to make room for Soviet military personell.
 * June 12: All inhabitants of Osmussaar island are forced to leave, to make room for Soviet military personell.
 * June 14: A total military blockade on the Baltic States by the Soviet Baltic Fleet. Soviet troops along the Baltic borders are ready to organise communist coups in the Baltic States. Soviet bombers shoot down a Finnish passenger airplane Kaleva flying from Tallinn to Helsinki and carrying three diplomatic pouches from the U.S. legations in Tallinn, Riga and Helsinki. The Soviet Union gives an eight hour ultimatum to Lithuania to surrender.
 * June 15: Soviet Army enter Lithuania.
 * June 16: Eight hour ultimatums to surrender are given to Estonia and Latvia.

First Soviet Occupation

 * 1940:
 * June 17: Soviet Army enters Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia.
 * June 21:
 * Konstantin Päts appoints Soviet-supported Johannes Vares-Barbarus as Prime Minister.
 * Soviet agitated protests against the Estonian government in Tallinn.
 * Estonian flag is replaced with a Red Flag on the Pikk Hermann tower.
 * Soviet troops attack the Single Signal Battalion stationed in Tallinn at Raua street. Two soldiers die on the Estonian side and about 10 on the Soviet side. The resistance is ended with negotiations and the Single Signal Battalion surrenders.
 * June 23: First Estonian officials are arrested. During the first Soviet occupation, over 8,000 people are arrested, including most of the country's leading politicians and military officers. Of them about 2,200 are executed in Estonia, others are sent to Russian prison camps, from where very few were later able to return alive.
 * June 27: Estonian Defence League and Isamaaliit, among other organizations, are liquidated.
 * July 4: The Estonian Communist Party, banned since 1918, is legalized.
 * July 5: A communist is appointed as leader of the Estonian Army.
 * July 11: Baltic Military District is created by the Soviet Union, on the territories of theoretically still independent states.
 * July 12: Soviet officials begin confiscating land property.
 * July 14 - July 15: Elections are organized in the Baltic States. In Estonia, the elections were announced only 9 days ago, although the constitution demanded 35 days between announciacion and elections. All candidates but one have to be approved by the Communist Party, in 79 of the 80 electoral districts, there is only one candidate and in one district two candidates. The only opponent is arrested before the elections. Citizens are forced to elect by the Soviet troops. Soviet-minded candidates win the elections by 92.9%. Only one chamber of the parliament is assembled.
 * July 15: President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, gives an order to block dealing with possessions of the Baltic States.
 * July 17: Soviet-organized protests throughout Estonia, demanding the creation of a socialist republic and to be accepted to the Soviet Union.
 * July 18: Protests against the Soviets in Tallinn after a football game against Latvia
 * July 19: General Johan Laidoner is deported to Russia. He is later arrested and sentenced to prison for 25 years. He dies in a prison camp in 1953.
 * July 20: In Tallinn, communists demand the creation of a socialist state, incorporation to the Soviet Union and land reform.
 * July 21: Estonian Socialist Republic is proclaimed, Konstantin Päts cedes his authorities as President over to Prime Minister Johannes Vares.
 * July 23:
 * U.S. Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles declares that the United States does not recognize the annexation of the Baltic States.
 * Land reform in Estonia, all private lands in Estonia are dispossessed.
 * July 24: Beginning of nationalization of all banks and big industry in the Baltic States.
 * July 30: Konstantin Päts is arrested and deported to Russia with his family. He is later arrested and imprisoned.
 * August 3: The Soviet Union annexes Lithuania.
 * August 5:
 * The Soviet Union annexes Latvia.
 * Estonia goes over to UTC+3 Moscow Time.
 * August 6: The Soviet Union annexes Estonia.
 * August 14: Estonian Army is changed into the "22nd Territorial Rifle Corps" of the Red Army.
 * August 22: Massive destruction of anti-Soviet literature begins. During the first occupation, ca. 250,000 books are destroyed.
 * August 25: A new constitution of the Estonian SSR enters into force. Johannes Vares changes the mild communists of his government with more noteable communists.
 * October 21: The coat of arms of the Estonian SSR is adopted.
 * October 31: The Flag of the Estonian SSR is adopted, it is a red flag with a gold hammer and sickle and characters "ENSV" in the top left corner.
 * November 7: The criminal code of the USSR is adopted, stating that all counter-revolutionary activities in Estonia from 1917 had been criminal.
 * November 25: The Soviet rouble is adopted.
 * December 12: Jaan Tõnisson is arrested. He is either executed in a Tallinn prison on July 3 1941 or died in a Russian labour camp in the winter of 1941.
 * 1941:
 * January 10 - March 26: A total of 7,813 Germans, among them also Estonians, migrate to Germany.
 * June 14: Massive deportations from the Baltic States to Siberia, 10,157 from Estonia, 15,081 from Latvia and 34,000 from Lithuania. Dozens of former Estonian government members are arrested.
 * June 22:
 * Operation Barbarossa: Germany invades the Soviet Union.
 * June Uprising in Lithuania, against the Soviet Union.
 * June 24: German forces capture Kaunas and Vilnius.
 * June 25: Beginning of the Continuation War between Finland and the Soviet Union.
 * June 26: German forces capture Daugavpils. First German reconnaissance planes above Estonia.
 * July 1: German forces capture Riga.
 * July 1 - July 4: Deportations from Estonian islands.
 * July 3: Forest Brothers take control over Kilingi-Nõmme. Soviet forces recapture the town on July 5.
 * July 4: Beginning of mobilization in Estonia.
 * July 4: 1,200 Estonian prisoners are sent to Russian prisons, where most of them die.
 * July 4 - August 22: The "22nd Territorial Rifle Corps" is sent into battles between Pskov and Staraya Russa. Of the 5,500 Estonian men in the corps, 4,500 are taken prisoners or go over to the German side.
 * July 7: German forces cross the Estonian border.
 * July 8: German forces capture Pärnu.
 * July 8 - July 9: 192 prisoners, who haven't yet been removed to Russia, are executed in a Tartu prison.
 * July 9: Soviet forces leave behind Emajõgi river in Tartu. The city will become a war front for three weeks. In the summer of 1941, ca. 250 Forest Brothers and 2,000 civilians are killed in Estonia.
 * July 10: The Erna long-range recce group of 67 trained men, arrives to Estonia from Finland. It will fulfill reconnaissance duties in Estonia behind the Red Army lines.
 * July 19: German planes bomb Mustvee, Vaivara, Tapa, Rakvere and Jõgeva.
 * July 25: German forces capture Tartu.
 * July 31: The Erna group engages in battle with Soviet forces to save over 1,000 civilians and to secure their retreat.
 * August 7:
 * German forces capture Rakvere and reach the Gulf of Finland, cutting the Soviet forces into two.
 * A group of ca. 600 men of the Red Army lands in Ruhnu.
 * August 17: German forces capture Narva.
 * August 20: German forces launch an attack on Tallinn.
 * August 22: 17 ships, carrying mobilized men, set off from Tallinn. A Luftwaffe bomb hits one of the steamers with 3,500 Estonian men on board, killing 598 of them.

Nazi German Occupation (1941 - 1944)

 * 1941:
 * August 28: German forces capture Tallinn and Paldiski.
 * August 31: German forces capture Haapsalu, gaining control over all mainland Estonia.
 * September 10 - September 17: German forces capture Vormsi and Muhu islands.
 * September 21: German forces capture Kuressaare. A few days later, a mass grave of 31 Soviet-executed Estonians is found in Kuressaare, next year another grave with 12 bodies is found.
 * October 5: German forces gain control over Saaremaa.
 * October 21: German forces capture Hiiumaa.
 * December 1: Population of Estonia is 1,001,541.
 * 1942:
 * January 20: Estonia is declared Judenfrei at the Wannsee Conference.
 * January 25: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * March 15: Soviet Air Force bombs Tallinn.
 * May 14: Soviet Air Force bombs Tallinn.
 * June 2: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva-Jõesuu.
 * June 6: Soviet Air Force bombs Tallinn.
 * August 2: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * August 6: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva-Jõesuu.
 * September 5: First Central-European Jews are brought to Kalevi-Liiva, where during 1942-1943 ca. 2,500 Jews and Gypsies are executed.
 * September 15 - September 16: Soviet Air Force bombs Tallinn.
 * 1943:
 * January 14: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * January 16: Battle of Velikiye Luki ends for the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps of the Soviet Army.
 * January 27: Soviet Air Force bombs Tartu, killing 18 people.
 * February 9 - February 10: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * February 14: Soviet Air Force bombs Tallinn, killing 20 people.
 * February 19: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * February 23: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * March 13: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * March 16: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * March 25: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * March 23 - March 25: Soviet Air Force bombs Tallinn, killing 12 people.
 * June 13: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * June 18: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * June 24: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva.
 * 1944:
 * January 14: Soviet troops start the offensive at Leningrad and Novgorod.
 * January 24: The 20th Waffen-SS Division (1st Estonian) is formed.
 * January 30: A general mobilization is announced in Estonia.
 * February 1: The Red Army liberates Kingisepp and bombs Narva.
 * February 2 - February 4: The Red Army crosses the Narva river.
 * March 6 - March 8: Soviet Air Force bombs Narva, destroying almost the entire Old Town.
 * March 7: Soviet Air Force bombs Tapa.
 * March 9: Soviet Air force bombs Tallinn, killing a total of 757 people and destroying 1,518 buildings. Among the damaged are the Estonia Theatre and the St. Nicholas' Church.
 * March 25 - March 26: Soviet Air Force bombs Tartu, killing ca. 100 people.
 * July 13: The Red Army captures Vilnius.
 * July 23: The Red Army captures Pskov.
 * July 24: German forces retreat from Narva to the Tannenberg Line at the Sinimäed Hills.
 * July 26: The Red Army captures Narva.
 * July 27: Major battles at the Tannenberg Line, being a tactical victory to Germans.
 * August 1: The Red Army captures Petseri.
 * August 16: The Red Army captures Põlva.
 * August 19: A total of 1,752 Estonian soldiers return to Estonia from the Continuation War.
 * August 23: Petseri County and eastern coast of the Narva river are transferred to the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
 * August 25: The Red Army captures Tartu.
 * September 3: Luftwaffe bombs Tartu.
 * September 16: German withdrawal from Estonia: within six days 50,000 troops and 20,000 civilians are evacuated.
 * September 18: Jüri Uluots, the last Prime Minister of Estonia and acting President, appoints Otto Tief as the acting Prime Minister.
 * September 19:
 * Moscow armistice between Finland and the Soviet Union is signed, ending the Continuation War.
 * Before their evacuation, German soldiers kill nearly all of the remaining 1,800 Jews at the Klooga concentration camp.
 * The Red Army captures Jõhvi and Valga.
 * September 20: An Estonian flag is raised on top of the Pikk Hermann tower.
 * September 21:
 * Battle of Porkuni between Estonian conscripts in Waffen-SS units and the Red Army.
 * Jüri Uluots escapes to Sweden, but the new Estonian government, that is evacuated to Läänemaa, is unable to flee abroad.

Second Soviet Occupation (1944 - 1991)

 * 1944:
 * September 22:
 * The Red Army captures Tallinn.
 * Soviet bombers sink the German hospital ship Moero, killing 2,700 military and civilian evacuees from Estonia.
 * The Soviet Air Force bombs Pärnu, destroying the Endla theater, where Estonia's independence was first declared.
 * September 23: The Red Army captures Pärnu and Viljandi.
 * September 24: The Red Army captures Paldiski and Haapsalu.
 * October 2 - October 3: The Red Army captures Hiiumaa.
 * October 6: A Soviet submarine sinks the transport ship Nordstern, killing ca. 400 Estonians aboard.
 * October 7: The Red Army captures Kuressaare.
 * October 8: Battle of Tehumardi in Saaremaa leaves 500 soldiers dead.
 * October 10: Otto Tief, the acting Prime Minister of Estonia, is imprisoned by the Soviets.
 * October 13: The Red Army captures Riga.
 * November 24: Last German troops on the Sõrve Peninsula in Saaremaa are evacuated to Courland. The Soviets gain control of the entire Estonian territory.
 * 1945:
 * January 9: Jüri Uluots, the Prime Minister of Estonia in the duties of the President, dies in exile. He is succeeded by August Rei.
 * May 8: After Hitler's suicide, Germany surrenders, ending the World War II in Europe.
 * June 8: There are 6,554 Estonian Swedes and 21,815 ethnic Estonians in Sweden.
 * July 17 - August 2: At the Potsdam Conference, Western allies agree on the new Soviet Western border, de facto recognising the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States.
 * 1946:
 * March 13: Estonian Forest Brothers capture Osula village, killing 13 people.
 * March 29 - March 30: Soviet forces kill 11 Forest Brothers in Pärnu county.
 * April 1: 6 Forest Brothers are killed in Võru county.
 * April 30: There are 32,081 displaced Estonians in the three German occupacion zones, excluding the Soviet zone.
 * May 7: Two Estonian school girls, Aili Jürgenson and Ageeda Paavel blow up the monument for fallen Soviet soldiers on Tõnismägi.
 * November 29: Johannes Vares commits suicite in Kadriorg palace.
 * 1947:
 * February 16: Elections to the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR end with 96.17% support to the approved single candidates.
 * March 12: The Truman Doctrine is proclaimed to help stem the spread of communism.
 * September 22: The Bronze Soldier of Tallinn is unveiled on Tõnismägi.
 * September 6: First kolkhoz in Estonia is established.
 * 1949 March 25: Operation Priboi: 90,000 people from the Baltic States, including 20,000 from Estonia, are deported to Siberia.
 * 1950: April: Nikolai Karotamm, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Estonia, is replaced with Johannes Käbin.
 * 1951:
 * April 1: More than 300 Jehova's Witnesses are deported to Siberia.
 * June 3: Voice of America starts broadasting in Estonian language.
 * More than half of the Estonian population lives in urban areas.
 * 1952:
 * May 3: Estonian SSR is divided between Pärnu, Tallinn and Tartu oblasts.
 * May 15: Kuressaare is renamed Kingissepp, after the Estonian communist Viktor Kingissepp.
 * 1953:
 * January 12: Estonian Government in Exile is formed, Johannes Sikkar becomes the acting Prime Minister.
 * February 6: New flag of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic is adopted.
 * March 5: Joseph Stalin, head of the USSR, dies, marking the beginning of calmer times in the Soviet Union.
 * September 7: Nikita Khruschev becomes the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
 * 1955: July 19: Eesti Televisioon (ETV) makes its first television broadcast
 * 1956:
 * January 18: Konstantin Päts dies in a Russian hospital.
 * October 23 – November 10: A failed Revolution in Hungary against Soviet rule ends the last hopes for independence in the Baltics.
 * 1959: January 15: There 1,196,791 people in the Estonian SSR, 74.6% of them Estonians. 95,963 Estonians live elsewhere in the Soviet Union.

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 * 1940 - Estonian SSR, Latvian SSR and Lithuanian SSR are proclaimed.
 * 1940 - Lithuanian SSR, Latvian SSR (August 5) and Estonian SSR (August 6) are incorporated into the Soviet Union.
 * 1941 - Mass deportations by Soviet Union authorities take place in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
 * 1941 - World War II: German troops take over Estonia from the Soviets.
 * 1941 - World War II: Luftwaffe bombing of an Estonian steamer with 3500 Soviet-mobilized Estonian men on board, killing 598 of them.
 * 1941 - Self-government of Estonia, headed by Hjalmar Mäe, is appointed by German military administration.
 * 1944 - WWII: Soviet Army planes attack Narva in Estonia, destroying almost the entire old town.
 * 1944 - WWII: Soviet Army planes attack Tallinn, Estonia.
 * 1944 - WWII: Jüri Uluots, prime minister in capacity of president of Estonia, asks Otto Tief to form a government on the eve of the withdrawal of German forces; official gazette published proclaiming the Tief government.
 * 1944 - Otto Tief attempts to organise the defence of Tallinn against the arrival of the Red Army two days later.
 * 1944 - Otto Tief captured by Soviet forces; Jüri Uluots and members of the Tief government escape to Sweden.
 * 1944 - The entire territory of Estonia is taken over by the Red Army.
 * 1949 - An extensive deportation campaign was conducted in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Soviet authorities deported more than 92,000 people from the Baltics to remote areas of the Soviet Union.
 * 1955 - Estonian Television (ETV) begins broadcasting.
 * 1978 - The last Forest Brother guerilla movement fighter is discovered and killed in Estonia.
 * 1980 - Youth riots in the capital of the Soviet Republic of Estonia are quickly forced down.
 * 1988 - In Estonia, 300,000 demonstrate for independence.
 * 1988 - The Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR declares that Estonia is "sovereign" but stops short of declaring independence.
 * 1988 - Estonian becomes the official language of Estonia.
 * 1989 - After 44 years, the Estonian flag is raised on the Pikk Hermann castle tower.
 * 1989 - Two million indigenous people of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, then still occupied by the Soviet Union, join hands to demand freedom and independence, forming an uninterrupted 600 km human chain called the Baltic Way.
 * 1991 - Latvia and Estonia vote for independence from the Soviet Union.
 * 1991 - Collapse of the Soviet Union: Estonia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.
 * 1991 - The United States recognizes the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
 * 1991 - The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic States.
 * 1992 - In Estonia, the kroon replaces the Soviet ruble.
 * 1992 - Estonia holds a referendum on its constitution.
 * 1992 - Heinrich Mark and the government in exile appointed by him cede their credentials to the newly elected Riigikogu.
 * 1992 - Lennart Meri becomes the first president of re-independent Estonia.
 * 1994 - The Russian army leaves Estonia.
 * 1994 - The car ferry MS Estonia sinks in the Baltic Sea, killing 852.
 * 2001 - 68 people die in Estonia after drinking bootleg alcohol that contained methanol.
 * 2002 - Estonia hosts the first Eurovision Song Contest in a former Soviet republic.
 * 2002 - North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in Prague: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia are invited to join NATO.
 * 2003 - Estonia approves joining the European Union in a referendum.
 * 2004 - The largest expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to date takes place, allowing Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia into the organization.
 * 2004 - The largest expansion to date of the European Union takes place, extending the Union by 10 member-states: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta and Cyprus.
 * 2005 - The same storm which pounded the U.S. earlier in the month hits England, Scandinavia and the Baltic States, leaving 13 dead with widespread flooding and power cuts.
 * 2005 - A passenger helicopter en route to Helsinki, Finland crashes into the sea near Tallinn, Estonia, killing 14.
 * 2006 - Toomas Hendrik Ilves is elected President of Estonia.
 * 2007 - Parliamentary elections take place in Estonia.
 * 2007 - Russians riot in Tallinn, Estonia, about moving the Bronze Soldier. Two nights of rioting leave one dead. Cyber attacks launched against Estonia.

LATER...

1816

 * June 4 (N.S.) (May 23 O.S.) – The Governorate of Estonia of the Russian Empire emancipates its peasants from serfdom.

1819

 * April 7 (N.S.) (March 26 O.S.) – The Governorate of Livonia of the Russian Empire emancipates its peasants from serfdom.

1857

 * January 1 – The biggest Estonian newspaper Postimees is established by Johann Voldemar Jannsen.

1858

 * May–July – Mahtra War: Peasants in the Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire revolt against ongoing serfdom, which was officially abolished in 1816.

1869

 * June 30-July 2 – The first Estonian Song Festival takes place in Tartu.

1884

 * June 4 (N.S.) (May 23 O.S.) The future flag of Estonia is consecrated as the flag of the Estonian Students' Society.

1896

 * July 27 – A causeway is opened between the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu in Estonia.

1905

 * (October 16 Old Style) Russian Revolution of 1905: The Imperial Russian Army opens fire on a meeting at a street market in Tallinn, Governorate of Estonia, killing 94 and injuring over 200 people.

1917

 * April 8 (N.S.) (March 26, O.S.) – In Petrograd, 40,000 ethnic Estonians demand national autonomy within Russia.
 * April 12 (N.S.) (March 30 O.S.) – The Autonomous Governorate of Estonia is formed within Russia from the Governorate of Estonia and the northern part of the Governorate of Livonia.
 * October 12-19 – WWI: Operation Albion: German forces land on and capture the West Estonian archipelago.
 * November 5 (N.S.) (October 23, O.S.) – Estonian and Russian Bolsheviks seize power in Tallinn, Autonomous Governorate of Estonia, two days before the October Revolution in Petrograd.
 * November 15 (N.S.) (November 28, O.S.) – The Provincial Assembly of the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia declares itself the highest legal body in Estonia.
 * December 23 (N.S.) (February 23, O.S.) – A local plebiscite supports transferring Narva and Ivangorod (Jaanilinn) from Petrograd Governorate to the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia.

1918

 * February 24 – Estonia declares its independence from Russia after seven centuries of foreign rule. German forces capture Tallinn on the next day.
 * November 28 – Estonian War of Independence: The Red Army invades Estonia, starting the war. The Commune of the Working People of Estonia is established as a Soviet puppet state in Narva on the next day.
 * December 5 – Estonian War of Independence: The British light cruiser HMS Cassandra (1916) strikes a mine and sinks near Saaremaa in the Baltic Sea, killing eleven sailors.
 * December 21 – Estonian War of Independence: The Red Army captures Tartu in Estonia.

1919

 * January 7 – Estonian War of Independence: With Soviet Russian forces just 40 km of the capital Tallinn, Estonian forces start a general and successful counter-offensive against the Red Army.
 * January 14 – Estonian War of Independence: Estonian forces liberate Tartu from the Red Army.
 * January 18 – Estonian War of Independence: Estonian forces liberate Narva, expelling the Red Army from Northern Estonia.
 * February 1 – Estonian War of Independence: Estonian forces liberate Valga and Võru, expelling the Red Army from the entire territory of Estonia.
 * February 16-21 – Estonian War of Independence: Uninformed peasants in Saaremaa rebel against the war in Estonia. The rebellion is crushed by government forces, leaving more than 200 dead.
 * April 23 – The Estonian Constituent Assembly convenes its first session.
 * May 25 – Estonian War of Independence: Estonian forces capture Pskov from the Red Army and soon hand it over to the White forces.
 * June 5 – Estonian and Latvian Wars of Independence: The advancing pro-German Baltische Landeswehr initiates war against Estonia in Northern Latvia.
 * June 23 – Estonian and Latvian Wars of Independence: The Estonian army defeats the pro-German Baltische Landeswehr in the Battle of Cēsis in northern Latvia, forcing the Landeswehr to retreat towards Riga. The event will be celebrated as Victory Day in Estonia ever since.
 * July 3 – Estonian and Latvian Wars of Independence: The pro-German Baltische Landeswehr signs a peace treaty with Estonia and Latvia. The pro-German Prime Minister of Latvia Andrievs Niedra resigns and Latvian forces take over Riga on July 8.
 * October 10 – Estonia adopts a radical land reform, nationalizing 97% of agrarian lands, mostly still belonging to Baltic Germans.
 * November 11 – Russian Civil War: The Northwestern Army of General Nikolai Yudenich retreats to Estonia and is disarmed.

1920

 * February 2 – Estonian War of Independence: The Tartu Peace Treaty is signed, ending the war and recognizing Estonian independence.
 * June 15 – The Estonian Constituent Assembly adopts the first constitution of Estonia, which will come into effect on December 21 the same year.

1922

 * May 3 – The leader of the underground Estonian Communist Party Viktor Kingissepp is executed in Estonia.

1924

 * November 27 – 129 communists, including several members of the Riigikogu, are convicted during the Trial of the 149 in Estonia.
 * December 1 – A Soviet-backed communist coup attempt fails in Estonia.

1928

 * January 1 – Estonia changes its currency from the mark to the kroon.

1933

 * October 14-16 – The new constitution of Estonia is approved only on the third consecutive referendum.

1934

 * March 12 – Prime Minister in duties of the State Elder Konstantin Päts and General Johan Laidoner stage a coup in Estonia to neutralize the popular right wing Vaps Movement, starting the Era of Silence. Their actions are initially approved by the Riigikogu.

1936

 * June 15 – An army ammunition depot explosion kills 60 in Männiku, Estonia.

1937

 * April 20 – A fire in an elementary school in Kilingi-Nõmme, Estonia, kills seventeen students and injures fifty.

1938

 * January 1 – The new constitution of Estonia enters into force, ending the Era of Silence and the authoritarian regime.
 * April 24 – Konstantin Päts becomes the first President of Estonia.

1939

 * September 18 – WWII: Orzeł incident: The Polish submarine ORP Orzeł escapes internment from Tallinn harbour, Estonia, leading both the Soviet Union and Germany to question Estonia's neutrality.
 * September 24 – WWII: The Soviet Union issues an ultimatum to Estonia to allow Soviet military bases on its territory, which Estonia accepts on September 28. Similar ultimatums are issued to Latvia on October 5 and to Lithuania on October 10, who are forced to accept them as well.

1940

 * June 17 – WWII: The Soviet Union occupies Estonia and Latvia.
 * July 21 – After rigged parliamentary elections in the three occupied countries on July 14–15, the parliaments proclaim the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republics.
 * July 23 – Welles Declaration: United States Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles announces that the U.S. will not accord diplomatic recognition to the Soviet Union's occupation of the Baltic states.
 * August 3 – The Lithuanian SSR is annexed into the Soviet Union, followed by the Latvian SSR on August 5 and the Estonian SSR August 6, just seven weeks after their occupation.

1941

 * June 14 – June deportation: Soviet officials deport about 65,000 people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Siberia.
 * August 24 – WWII: A Luftwaffe bomb hits the Estonian steamer Eestirand with 3,500 Soviet-mobilized Estonian men on board, killing 598 of them.
 * August 28 – WWII: German troops capture Tallinn, Estonia from the Soviet Union, while attacks on the evacuating Soviet ships leave more than 12,000 dead in one of the bloodiest naval battles of World War II. German forces will capture the entire Estonian territory by 6 December.
 * September 15 – The Estonian Self-Administration, headed by Hjalmar Mäe, is appointed by the German military administration.

1944

 * March 6 – WWII: Soviet Army planes attack Narva, Estonia, destroying almost the entire baroque old town.
 * March 9 – WWII: Soviet Army planes attack Tallinn, Estonia, killing 757 and leaving 25,000 homeless.
 * July 25 – WWII: Beginning of the Battle of Tannenberg Line or the "Battle of the Blue Hills" in Northeastern Estonia, where the Red Army will result in a Pyrrhic victory by 10 August.
 * September 6 – WWII: Tartu Offensive in Estonia concludes with Soviet forces capturing Tartu.
 * September 18 – WWII: After German forces declare the evacuation of Estonia the day before, the Estonian national government briefly resumes control of Tallinn before Soviet advance.
 * September 22 – WWII: The Red Army captures Tallinn, Estonia. Prime Minister in Duties of the President of Estonia Jüri Uluots and 80,000 Estonian civilians manage to escape to Sweden and Germany. The evacuees include almost the entire population of the Estonian Swedes. Soviet bombing raids on the evacuating ships sink several ships with thousands on board.
 * November 24 – WWII: German forces evacuate from West Estonian Archipelago.

1949

 * March 25 – Operation Priboi: An extensive deportation campaign begins in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The Soviet authorities deport more than 92,000 people from the Baltic states to remote areas of the Soviet Union.

1978

 * September 27 – The last Forest Brother guerrilla movement fighter is discovered and killed in Estonia.

1980

 * September 22 – Youth riots in Tallinn, the capital of the Estonian SSR, are quickly put down. Similar riots are organized on 1 October.

1986

 * February 25 – Beginning of the Phosphorite War protest movement in Estonian SSR.
 * August 23 – The Hirvepark meeting is organized as the first unsanctioned political meeting in Estonian SSR, in commemoration of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

1987

 * June 10–14 – Spontaneous 100,000 strong mass night-singing demonstrations in Estonian SSR eventually give name to the Singing Revolution.
 * September 11 – Singing Revolution: In Estonian SSR, 300,000 demonstrate for independence.
 * November 16 – Singing Revolution: The Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR adopts the Estonian Sovereignty Declaration in which the laws of the Estonian SSR are declared supreme over those of the Soviet Union. The USSR declares it unconstitutional on 26 November. It is the first declaration of sovereignty from Moscow of any Soviet or Eastern Block entity.
 * December 7 – Singing Revolution: Estonian language replaces Russian as the official language of the Estonian SSR.

1989

 * February 24 – Singing Revolution: After 44 years, the Estonian flag is raised at the Pikk Hermann tower in Tallinn.
 * August 23 – Singing Revolution: Two million indigenous people of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian SSRs join hands to demand freedom and independence from Soviet occupation, forming an uninterrupted 600 km human chain called the Baltic Way.

1990

 * March 30 – Singing Revolution: After its first free elections on March 18, the Estonian SSR declares the Soviet rule to have been illegal since 1940 and declares a transition period for full independence.
 * May 8 – Singing Revolution: The Estonian SSR restores the formal name of the country, the Republic of Estonia, as well as other national emblems (the coat of arms, the flag and the anthem).
 * May 15 – Singing Revolution: The pro-Soviet Intermovement attempts to take power in Tallinn, Estonia, but are forced down by local Estonians.

1991

 * March 3 – Singing Revolution: In the Estonian independence referendum and the Latvian independence and democracy poll, voters vote more than 3 to 1 in favor of independence from the Soviet Union.
 * August 20 – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Estonia restores its independence from the Soviet Union.
 * September 2 – The United States re-recognizes the independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and the US government reopens the embassies there.
 * September 6 – Singing Revolution: The Soviet Union recognizes the independence of the Baltic states.
 * September 17 – North Korea, South Korea, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia join the United Nations.

1992

 * June 20 – Estonia adopts the kroon and becomes the first former Soviet Republic to replace the Soviet ruble.
 * June 28 – Estonia holds a referendum on its constitution, which will come into effect on July 3.
 * October 6 – Lennart Meri becomes the first President of Estonia after regaining independence. The Estonian Government in Exile resigns on the next day.

1993

 * July 16–17 – In Estonia, the majority Russian cities of Narva and Sillamäe organize referendums on "territorial autonomy" to protest new citizenship laws. The referendums are later declared null and void by the Supreme Court.

1994

 * August 31 – The Russian army leaves Estonia and Latvia, ending the last traces of Eastern Europe's Soviet occupation.
 * September 28 – The car ferry MS Estonia sinks in the Baltic Sea, killing 852 people.

2001

 * September 9 – 68 people die of methanol poisoning in Pärnu County, Estonia.

2003

 * September 14 – Estonia approves joining the European Union in a referendum.

2004

 * March 29 – Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia are admitted to NATO, the largest expansion of the organization.
 * May 1 – The largest expansion to date of the European Union takes place, extending the Union by 10 member-states: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Malta and Cyprus.

2007

 * April 26-27 – Ethnic Russian riot in Tallinn and other cities in Estonia against the moving of the Bronze Soldier, a Soviet World War II memorial.
 * December 21 – The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia join the Schengen border-free zone.

2010

 * December 9 – Estonia becomes the 34th member of the OECD.

2011

 * January 1 – Estonia officially adopts the Euro currency and becomes the 17th Eurozone country.