(1931) Spain became a Republic
(1936-39) Francisco Franco forces victorious in Spanish Civil War; dictatorship established
(1959) ETA established - a soon to be powerful Basque Fatherland and Freedom group
(1968) West African colony of Spanish Guinea granted independence as Equatorial Guinea
(1973) Basque nationalists assassinated Prime Minister Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco in Madrid
(1975) Franco died, Juan Carlos de Borbon declared king. Spain became a constitutional monarchy
(1977) Democratic elections held
(1978) Spain's new constitution established a parliamentary monarchy
(1980) ETA fighting killed 118 people
(1981) Military coup failed
(1982) Spain joined NATO
(1986) Spain joined EEC
(1992) Barcelona hosted Summer Olympic games; Seville hosted Expo 92
(1995) Spain joined European Community
(1996) Jose Maria Aznar became Prime Minister
(1998) Donana National Park severely contaminated by a toxic waste spill