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The Island of Timor is divided into East and West. Portugal retains possession of East Timor
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The Portuguese recognise East Timor's right to self-government and declare their intension to withdraw after more than 400 years of rule.
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War between Indonesian forces and the pro-independence group Fretilin.
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Xanana Gusmao emerges as the East Timorsese independence leader.
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Massacre of East Timorese independence supporters at Dilli's Santa Cruz cemetery.
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Xanana Gusmao captured by indonesian troops and jailed for life for subversion.
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Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the leaders of the East Timorese independence movement. Bishop Carlos Belo and Jose Ramos Horta.
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Indonesia’s President B.J. Habibie proposes a special autonomous status for East Timor.
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First democratic parliamentary elections are held to elect the members of East Timor’s first Constituent assembly. Pro-independence party Fretilin is declared the winner.
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Xanana Gusmao is announced the President-elect of east Timor, the worlds newest nation.
