• 896 Árpád led the Magyars in the Carpathian Basin, becoming the first leader.
  • 997 King Stephen of the Árpád dynasty converted the pagans to Catholicism and was proclaimed a saint.
  • 1241 The Tartars of Mongolia invaded and devastated the territory.
  • 1458 King Matthias reigned until 1490, bringing Italian influence into the country.
  • 1526 The Turks defeated the Hungarians, occupying and ruling them for 150 years.
  • 1541 Hungary was divided into three parts. The Turks ruled central Hungary, the Habsburgs ruled west Hungary, and the Hungarians had south Hungary.
  • 1703 The Prince of Transylvania led a war against the Habsburgs, but was defeated.
  • 1848 The Habsburg emperor was dethroned as a result of the Hungarian Revolution, but gained his throne back with the assistance of the Russians.
  • 1867 The Habsburgs agreed to a compromise and created a dual-centered monarchy between Vienna and Pest-Buda.
  • 1873 Pest, Buda, and Obuda were unified into one city making Budapest a major city within Europe.
  • 1896 Hungary celebrates its millennium with Pope Leo XIII and emperor of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Franz Josef, in attendance.
  • 1914 Hungary fights on the losing side in World War I and the monarchy collapses.
  • 1920 The Trianon Treaty is signed. Hungary is punished by losing two-thirds of its territory and one-third of its people.
  • 1938 Germany creates treaties returning southern Slovakia and northern Transylvania to Hungary.
  • 1939 World War II begins.
  • 1944 The Nazis invade and occupy Hungary.
  • 1945 The Allies defeat Germany in the war and the Soviets "liberate" Hungary from the Nazis, but maintain power and make Hungary part of the Soviet Communist bloc.
  • 1956 Hungary revolts against the Soviets, but the Hungarians are defeated.
  • 1990 The Soviet Union leaves Hungary. A Hungarian democracy is established. József Antall becomes the first democratically elected prime minister of Hungary.
  • 2004 Hungary joins the European Union.
  • 2006 Mass protests, which turned violent at times, were held after it was released that then Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány's private speech revealed his party, the Hungarian Socialist Party, had lied to win the 2006 election. Protests lasted from September 17 to October 23, becoming the first continuous protest in Hungary since 1989.
  • 2009 Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány resigns from office in April and is replaced by fellow party member, Gordon Bajnai.
  • Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.