Timeline of Kosovo

Chronology

12 events spanning the history of Kosovo. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1689 – 1690

   Austrian invasion is repelled.

   Austrian invasion is repelled.

2. 1912

   Balkan Wars

   Balkan Wars. Serbia regains control of Kosovo from the Turks, recognized by 1913 Treaty of London.

3. 1918

   Kosovo becomes part of the kingdom of Serbia.

   Kosovo becomes part of the kingdom of Serbia.

4. 1941

   World War II. Much of Kosovo becomes part of an Italian-controlled greater Albania.

   World War II. Much of Kosovo becomes part of an Italian-controlled greater Albania.

5. 1946

   Kosovo is absorbed into the Yugoslav federation.

   Kosovo is absorbed into the Yugoslav federation.

6. 1989

   Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic proceeds to strip rights of autonomy.

   Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic proceeds to strip rights of autonomy laid down in the 1974 constitution.

7. 1993 – 1997

   Ethnic tension and armed unrest escalate.

   Ethnic tension and armed unrest escalate.

8. 1999

   Internationally-brokered peace talks fail.

   Internationally-brokered peace talks fail. Nato launches air strikes against Yugoslavia lasting 78 days before Belgrade yields. Hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanian refugees pour into neighbouring countries, telling of massacres and forced expulsions which followed the start of the Nato campaign.

9. 2005

   Serbian President Boris Tadic visits, promises to defend rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

   Serbian President Boris Tadic visits, promises to defend rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

10. 2006

    First direct talks since 1999 between ethnic Serbian and Kosovan leaders.

    First direct talks since 1999 between ethnic Serbian and Kosovan leaders on future status of Kosovo take place in Vienna.