Timeline of Lebanon

Chronology

23 events spanning the history of Lebanon. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1516 – 1918

   Lebanon was under the administrative rule and political sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire.

   Lebanon was under the administrative rule and political sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire.

2. 1920

   The State of Greater Lebanon is proclaimed.

   After the League of Nations grants the mandate for Lebanon and Syria to France, the State of Greater Lebanon is proclaimed. It includes the former autonomous province of Mount Lebanon, plus the provinces of north Lebanon, south Lebanon and the Biqa, historically part of Syria.

3. 1926

   The Lebanese Representative Council approves a Constitution

   The Lebanese Representative Council approves a Constitution and the Lebanese Republic is declared.

4. 1940

   Lebanon comes under the control of the Vichy French government.

   Lebanon comes under the control of the Vichy French government.

5. 1941

   After Lebanon is occupied by Free French and British troops, independence is declared.

   After Lebanon is occupied by Free French and British troops, independence is declared.

6. 1943

   The foundations of the state are set out in an unwritten National Covenant

   The foundations of the state are set out in an unwritten National Covenant which states that Lebanon is an independent Arab country with ties to the West but which cooperates with other Arab states while remaining neutral. The 1932 census which had shown that Christians were 54% of the population is used as the basis for the distribution of seats in the Chamber of Deputies (later to be called the National Assembly) on a ratio of 6 to 5 (later extended to other public offices). The President is to be a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister a Sunni Muslim, and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies a Shi’i Muslim.

7. 1957 – 1958

   Lebanon plunges into political crisis caused by political and religious tensions in the country.

   Lebanon plunges into political crisis caused by political and religious tensions in the country.

8. 1967 – 1968

   The Six-day Arab Israeli War breaks out

   The Six-day Arab Israeli War breaks out between Israel and Arab nations Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Lebanon has no active role in the war but is affected as Palestinian factions use Lebanon as a base for retaliation strikes against Israel.

9. 1975

   Clashes between Christian and Palestinian Militia breaks out

   Clashes between Christian and Palestinian Militia breaks out, widely considered the start of a lengthy civil war that devastated Lebanon.

10. 1978

    Israel invades Lebanon

    Israel invades Lebanon and occupies land reaching as far north as the Litani River. The United Nations Security Council calls on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory and creates a 6,000-man peacekeeping force called UNIFIL to ensure it happens. Israel hands over their strongholds to Christian Lebanese militia instead of UNIFIL.