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17 mio years ago
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Iceland was formed as a result of volcanic eruptions on the Mid-Atlantic-Ridge
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120,000 up to 10,000 years ago
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The island is buried under a large ice cap serveral times. The characteristic table mountains were formed.
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around 750
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Irish monks stayed in Iceland and the Faroes for a short time.
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874
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Ingólfur Arnarson was the first documented permanent settler. Further settlers followed.
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930
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The parliament “Althingi” was founded at Thingvellir.
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982
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Erik Thorvaldson (“Eric the Red”) settled in Greenland.
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1000
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Leif Eriksson discovered North America. Adoption of Christianity in Iceland.
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1056
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The first bishop was established at Skálholt in South Iceland.
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1120-1250
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The Sagas were written down. Snorri Sturluson counts to the most important authors.
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1240
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Snorri Sturluson was murdered in West Iceland.
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1262
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Iceland became a Norwegian colony.
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1380
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Norway and Iceland became colonies of Denmark
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1402-1404
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2/3 of the icelandic people died due to the plague.
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1550
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Reformation in Iceland. The last Catholic bishop was beheaded.
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1602
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Denmark established a Royal trade monopoly.
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1783-1790
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Natural disaster (Laki eruption) with 10,000 victims.
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1800
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Denmark decided to abolish the Althingi, Iceland’s parliament.
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1818
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National Library was founded.
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1843
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Althingi was reinstated as a consultative assembly.
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1854
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Danish trade monopoly was lifted.
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1863
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National museum was founded.
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1874
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A new constitution and limited home rule were granted to Iceland by Denmark.
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1911
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Foundation of the University of Iceland
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1918
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Sovereignty: Act of Crown Union with Denmark
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1940
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Iceland was occupied by British forces to prevent a German invasion. Replacement in 1941 by American troops.
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1944
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The Republic of Iceland was proclaimed at Thingvellir, South Iceland.
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1947
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Iceland became a member of the OEEC (later OECD)
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1949
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Iceland became a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
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1952,1958,1972, 1975
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Iceland gradually extended its fishery zone from 3 to 200 nautical miles.
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1963-1967
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Surtsey was formed in the Westman archipelago.
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1973
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Volcanic eruption on Heimaey, Westman Islands.
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1986
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Reagan-Gorbachev Summit held in Reykjavik.
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1996
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Vulcanic eruption under Vatnajökull glacier.
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2000
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Reykjavik was European City of Culture.
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2004
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Thingvellir was included on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list.
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2008
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Surtsey was included on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list.
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