Czech Republic Timeline

First evidence of continuous occupation of the area around Prague, by various Germanic and Celtic tribes.

The Boii, are the first inhabitants known by name.

Arrival of the Slavs.

First settlement established on the site of present day Prague

The Prague Castle is founded around 880 by prince Bořivoj of the Premyslid dynasty.

The Prague bishopric is founded in 973.

Vratislav II becomes the first Czech king in 1085 but remains subordinate to the Holy Roman Empire.

The first stone bridge over the Vltava, Judith Bridge, is built in 1172.

The Old Town is founded in 1231.

The Lesser Town (Malá Strana) is founded in 1257.

Prague's first golden age

Hussite wars begin

Construction of Charles Bridge begins in 1357.

Second Golden age begins

The reign of the Habsburg dynasty begins in 1526 and the seat of power moves to Vienna.

The Protestant uprising begins in 1618.

Protestants are severely defeated in the Battle of the White Mountain.

A Czech nationalist movement called the National Revival begins in 1784.

Industrial Revolution begins

Joseph II issues the Edict of Tolerance in 1781, granting political and religious rights to religious minorities.

A railway between Vienna and Prague opens in 1845.

Josefov is added to Prague's historical center in 1850.

The Czech Republic joins NATO.

The Austro-Hungarian empire falls in 1918 and Prague becomes the capital of independent.

In 2002, the Czech Republic is approved to become a member of the European Union.

The Czech Republic is accepted into the European Union on May 1, 2004.

"Prague Spring" fails and five Warsaw Pact member countries invade Czechoslovakia.