Since independence from France and following the overthrow of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali last week:
1956 – Tunisia achieves independence from France.
Habib Bourguiba, architect of modern Tunisia, becomes prime minister.
1957 – Bourguiba becomes president when the traditional ruler, Bey Lamine, is deposed and the monarchy abolished.
1975 – Bourguiba, the ”Supreme Fighter”, becomes president for life.
1987 – Prime Minister Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali declares himself president, stating Bourguiba’s advancing age and state of health makes him incapable of governing.
1988 – In a symbolic break with his predecessor, Ben Ali renames the ruling party, the only one in parliament. It becomes the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RDC).
1989 – Ben Ali wins uncontested presidential election. RCD wins all seats in parliamentary election with 80 per cent of the vote. The Islamist Ennahda, or Renaissance, party officially won some 17 percent but secured no seats. Ben Ali banned Ennahda.
1994 – Ben Ali re-elected unopposed. Six opposition parties share 2 per cent of the vote and four win seats in parliament.
1999 – Ben Ali wins presidential election against two symbolic challengers, securing 99 per cent of the vote.
2000 – Bourguiba dies.
2002 – Referendum approves amendments to the constitution that opponents say allows Ben Ali to rule for life.
2009 – Ben Ali wins fifth term with 90 percent of the vote, rejects cries of fraud and threatens to prosecute critics.
December 17, 2010 – Mohamed Bouazizi sets fire to himself in the central town of Sidi Bouzid in protest at confiscation by police of his vegetable cart. Local people demonstrate in support.
January 4, 2011 – Bouazizi dies of his burns. Huge funeral adds momentum to protests against unemployment and repression.
January 14 – After days of clashes in which dozens are killed, and having made vain promises of reforms and elections, Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi stays on, with RCD parliamentary speaker as interim president.
January 17 – Ghannouchi appoints opposition figures to a new national unity coalition and says will free political prisoners.
January 18 – Some opposition figures quit cabinet, demanding removal of former Ben Ali loyalists. Protesters denounce ”sham”.
January 19 – State TV says 33 Ben Ali relatives arrested.
January 20 – After first cabinet meeting, government offers amnesty to all political groups including banned Islamists.
January 21 – After a day of protests focuses on his office, Ghannouchi pledges to retire as soon as elections are held and says he identifies with Tunisians’ sufferings under Ben Ali.
January 22 – Protesters again demand Ghannouchi and other Ben Ali proteges go. Policemen, once the bulwark of Ben Ali’s rule, demonstrate in Tunis, saying they too were victims.
—————–REUTERS