Timeline of Timor-Leste

Chronology

7 events spanning the history of Timor-Leste. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1600

   Portuguese invade Timor, set up trading post and use island as source of sandalwood.

   Portuguese invade Timor, set up trading post and use island as source of sandalwood.

2. 1749

   Timor split following battle between Portuguese and Dutch. Portuguese take the eastern half.

   Timor split following battle between Portuguese and Dutch. Portuguese take the eastern half.

3. 1942

   Japanese invade, fighting battles with Australian troops.

   Japanese invade, fighting battles with Australian troops. Up to 60,000 East Timorese are killed. Japan in control until 1945.

4. 1975

   After brief civil war, Fretilin declares East Timor independent.

   After brief civil war, Fretilin (Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor) declares East Timor independent.

5. 1993

   Groups of East Timorese enter foreign embassies in Jakarta seeking political asylum.

   Groups of East Timorese enter foreign embassies in Jakarta over the next few years seeking political asylum.

6. 2001

   East Timor, Australia sign memorandum of understanding over future revenues from oil.

   East Timor, Australia sign memorandum of understanding over future revenues from oil, gas fields in Timor Sea under which East Timor would get 90% of revenues.

7. 2002

   Independence.

   Independence. VIP guests including former US president Bill Clinton and Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri join celebrations in Dili.