Timeline of Ethiopia

Chronology

34 events spanning the history of Ethiopia. BCE/CE dating.

1. 330

   Coptic Christianity introduced from Egypt.

   Coptic Christianity introduced from Egypt.

2. 850

   Outsiders found coffee in the region of Ethiopia.

   Outsiders found coffee in the region of Ethiopia called Kaffa, hence the name.

3. 1530 – 1531

   Muslim leader Ahmad Gran conquers much of Ethiopia.

   Ahmad ibn Ibrahim leads Muslim Somalis in a holy war against Christian Ethiopia, destroying churches and shrines.

4. 1818 – 1868

   Lij Kasa conquers Amhara, Gojjam, Tigray and Shoa.

   Lij Kasa conquers Amhara, Gojjam, Tigray and Shoa.

5. 1855

   Kasa becomes Emperor Tewodros II.

   Ras Kassa had himself crowned as the emperor at Axum (Ethiopia) under the name, Tewodros, and constructed an army to reunite the provinces of Tigre, Amhara and Shoa.

6. 1868

   Tewodros defeated by a British expeditionary force and commits suicide to avoid capture.

   Tewodros defeated by a British expeditionary force and commits suicide to avoid capture.

7. 1872

   Tigrayan chieftain becomes Yohannes IV.

   Tigrayan chieftain becomes Yohannes IV.

8. 1885

   Italian troops occupy Eritrea, a province of Ethiopia.

   Italian troops occupy Eritrea, a province of Ethiopia.

9. 1889

   Addis Ababa becomes Ethiopia’s capital.

   Addis Ababa becomes Ethiopia’s capital.

10. 1889

    Menelik signs a bilateral friendship treaty with Italy

    Menelik signs a bilateral friendship treaty with Italy at Wuchale which Italy interprets as giving it a protectorate over Ethiopia. Ethiopia rejects this interpretation, later renounces the treaty and repays a loan.