Some key dates in Slovenia’s history:
1st-5th Centuries AD – Area is part of the Roman Empire.
6th Century – Slavic tribes migrate to the region.
c. 750 – Area comes under the rule of the Bavarians, who began spreading Christianity.
c. 790 – Region is incorporated into the Carolingian Empire.
955 – Emperor Otto I defeats the Magyars at Lechfeld. Slovene territory becomes a border region of the Holy Roman Empire.
14th Century – Most of Slovenia becomes hereditary land of the Habsburg monarchy.
19th Century – Rising nationalism and also Yugoslavism – stressing the unity of all South Slavic peoples – spreads as a reaction to Pan-German and Italian nationalism.
1914-18 – World War One sees heavy fighting in the area between the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies – particularly the twelve Battles of the Isonzo.
1918 – After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Slovenia joins the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The kingdom later becomes known as Yugoslavia.
1941 – Slovenia is occupied by Nazi Germany and Italy during World War Two.
1945 – At the end of the war, Slovenia becomes a constituent republic of communist Yugoslavia.
1987-1990 – Slovene Spring. Mass movement for political reform emerges.
1990 – Country changes its name to the Republic of Slovenia. Holds it first democratic elections.
1991 – Slovenia, along with Croatia, declares its independence. The Yugoslav army invades, leading to the Ten Day War. Some 65 people are killed before the EU brokers a ceasefire. The Yugoslav army withdraws.
2004 – Slovenia joins the European Union.
2011-13 – Mass protests at corruption and financial mismanagement during the European sovereign debt crisis.