800-1050 The age of the Vikings, when Norsemen terrorized the coasts of Europe.
872 Harald Fairhair conquers many small provinces and reigns as first king.
1001 Leif Eriksson discovers America (or so the sagas claim).
1030 Christianity is firmly established; Olaf II is declared a saint.
1066 The Viking Age ends with the defeat of Harald III in England.
1350 The Black Death wipes out much of the population.
1397 Margaret becomes queen of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden at the Union of Kalmar.
1439 Danish rule is imposed on Norway.
1814 Norway breaks from Denmark and adopts a constitution, but comes under Swedish rule.
1905 The Norwegian parliament breaks from Sweden and declares independence.
1914 Norway declares its neutrality in World War I.
1920 Norway joins the League of Nations, ending its isolation.
1940 Nazi troops invade Norway; the king and government flee.
1945 Norway regains independence and executes its Nazi puppet ruler, Quisling.
1960s An oil boom hits Norway.
1986 The Labor Party installs first female prime minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland.
1989 A center-right coalition regains power.
1990 Brundtland becomes prime minister again.
1991 Harald V becomes king.
1994 Lillehammer plays host to XVII Olympic Winter Games.
1995 Norway wins Eurovision Song Contest, an annual cultural event observed by 600 million viewers.
1996 Eurovision Song Contest is held in Oslo; Norway takes second place.
1998 Oil prices fall, but Norway plunges ahead with costly engineering projects.
2001 U.N. group votes Norway most desirable place to live in the world.
2004 A future queen is born -- perhaps.
2005 New bridge links Sweden and Norway.
2008 Norway turns to the Barents Sea in its search for oil fields.
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.
