Here is an overview of important dates in our history.
874
Iceland received its first inhabitants from Norway (prior to that, some Celtic colonies had existed in Iceland) as Ingólfur Arnarson arrives in Reykjavík.
930
The Icelandic parliament, "Althing", had its first meeting. The Alþingi is the oldest parliamentary system still operating in Europe.
982
Eirikur (Eric) the Red discovers Greenland after being ordered out of Iceland by the Alþing due to manslaughter.
1000
Christianity adopted as the new religion. Leifur Eriksson ("Leif the Lucky") discovers North America and names it Vinland.
1120-1230
The Age of Writing. An era of tremendous literary activity. The monumental History of the Kings of Norway, and the first vernacular history, the Book of Icelanders, were written during this period. Snorri Sturluson, a nobleman, historian and poet, writes the Prose Edda and the Heimskringla. Beginning of the Age of Sturlunga, an era of bloody Civil War.
1241
Snorri Sturluson, poet, historian, and chieftain, author of the Prose Edda and the Heimskringla is murdered at his home in Reykholt.
1402- 1404
The Black Death plague ravages Iceland.
1783-1786
The worst volcanic eruptions in the history of Iceland occur. Grass was burned over large areas, 3/4 of cattle starved to death; one quarter of Iceland's population died from starvation.
1800
The Icelandic parliament (Alþing) abolished by the Danish king.
1843
With the awakening of Icelandic nationalism, the Alþing is re-established as aconsultative body. Jon Sigurðsson leads the continuing struggle for greater autonomy.
1918
Denmark recognizes Iceland as a sovereign state, but Iceland remains united with Denmark.
1940
When Denmark falls to Nazi Germany, Iceland is occupied by British troops to prevent German attack.
1941
U.S. forces take over defence of Iceland from British.
1944
Iceland declares its separation from Denmark, and full independence.
1955
Halldór Kiljan Laxness receives the Nobel prize for literature.
1963
An underwater volcanic eruption creates a new island, named Surtsey, off the southern Icelandic coast near the Westman Islands.
1972
Bobby Fischer and Spassky compete for the World Championship title in chess in Reykjavík.
1973
The volcano Helgafell erupted on the island of Westman Islands (Heimaey), submerging a large part of the town in lava. Nixon and Pompidou summit in Reykjavík.
1980
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir becomes the first woman ever to be democratically elected President of a Republic. She was re-elected in 1984, 1988, and 1992.
1986
Ronald Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meeting held in Höfði house in Reykjavík.
2000
Iceland celebrates thousand years of Christianity at Thingvollur plains. Thousands of people never got all the way to Thingvollur and were stuck in traffic for 12 hours instead. The festival will be remembered for the biggest traffic jam in Icelandic history.
2010
Eyjafjallajökull glacier erupted