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Combined Arab and Berber force from northern Africa cross Strait of Gibraltar to occupy Iberian peninsula.
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Independent Emirate is established in Iberia, with Córdoba as its capital.
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Powerful Caliphate of Córdoba breaks up due to internal strife; Moorish Spain split into small feuding kingdoms.
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Decisive Christian victory at battle of Navas de Tolosa spells the beginning of the end of Moorish rule in Spain.
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King Fernando and Queen Isabel's army capture Granada after a long siege, the final defeat of the Moors in Spain. Jews are forced to convert to Christianity; those who refuse are expelled from Spain. Christopher Columbus sets sail on his voyage of discovery.
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War of Spanish Succession. Bourbon dynasty accedes to Spanish throne
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Peninsular War. Spaniards rise against Napoleon's occupying force. Combination of guerilla tactics and support from Wellington's army end in French defeat.
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Spanish American War. Spain loses Cuba and Philippines.
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Spanish king is forced to abdicate. Spain becomes a republic.
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Spanish Civil War. Bloody conflict ends with General Franco's victory. Dictatorship established.
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Franco dies, Juan Carlos de Borbón is proclaimed king. Spain becomes constitutional monarchy. Democracy would bring membership of the European Community.
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Spain joins NATO, becoming a member of a mainstream European organization.
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Spain joins the European Community.
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Islamic terrorists strike the Atocha train station in Madrid with bombs, killing nearly 300 and precipitating a change in government.
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Having re-taken territories in northern Spain, Christians establish capital in León
