about 5500 B.C.		different tribes live in El Salvador
about 3000 B.C.		The Pipil were a subgroup of a nomadic people known as the Nahua, who had migrated into Central America about 3000 B.C
June 1524		Pedro de Alvarado invaded El Salvador and was defeated
1525		San Salvador was found
1528		El Salvador became a Spanish colony
15 September 1821		El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala declare their independence from Spain and became members of the Empire of Mexico
1 July 1823		United Provinces of Central America (Costa Rica, El Salcador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras) declared their independence from Mexico
1833		Aquino led a brief but violent uprising.
1895		El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua formed the "Greater Republic of Central America" (República Mayor de Centroamerica) via the Pact of Amapala.
1912		Creation of the National Guard (Guardia Nacional--GN)
18 January 1932		After a communist uprising, rebel leaders were arrested.
14 December 1948		President Castaneda was ousted from power by military officers, referred to itself as the Military Youth (Juventud Militar)
14 July 1969		Early on the morning of July 14, 1969, El Salvador started concerted military action in what came to be known as the Soccer War
18 July 1969		A cease-fire was arranged on the night of July 18
25 March 1972		A group of young army officers, led by Colonel Benjamin Mejia, launched a coup.
15 October 1979		This new Military Youth deposed President Romero in a coup.
24 March 1980		Archbishop of San Salvador, Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez was assassinated by right-wing death-squard.
10 January 1981		FMLN guerrilla offensive began. Start of a twelve year civil war.
7 August 1987		Central American Peace Agreement was signed by Duarte on behalf of El Salvador.
October 1989		Alfredo Cristiani, the ARENA (right-wing) party’s candidate won the elections
November 1989		The FMLN launched an offensive occupying several areas of the capital and surrounding regions. The Government responded by bombing several densely populated areas of the capital. Six Jesuits, including the rector of the University of Central America, Ignacio Ellacuria, were tortured and killed by heavily armed soldiers.
27 April 1991		Representatives of the Government and the Farabundo Marti Front signed the "Mexico Agreements" restricting the function of the Armed Forces to the defence of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
1 January 1992		After 21 weeks of negotiation and 12 years of civil war, both parties met in New York to sign agreements and covenants establishing peace in El Salvador
16 January 1992		The final agreements were signed in the Mexican city of Chapultepec
15 February 1993		The last 1,700 armed rebels turned over their weapons in a ceremony which was attended by several Central American heads of State and by UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
20 March 1994		First elections since the civil war were held.
March 1999		Francisco Flores, of the ARENA party, at the age of 39, became the youngest president in South America.