Travel through our timeline of major events in Argentina's history.

1516:
Explorer Juan Děaz de Solis discovers Rio de la Plata. Spain later claims it and the surrounding region.

1776:
Spain creates a large colony called the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata. It covers present-day Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Bolivia. Buenos Aires is named its capital.

1810:
On May 25, armed citizens of Buenos Aires kick out the Spanish Viceroy and establish a government.

1816-1817:
Argentina declares its independence from Spain. José de San Martín defeats Spanish forces in Chile.

1880s:
Argentina becomes a major exporter of wool, wheat and beef. Soon, it becomes the richest nation in Latin America.

1943:
A group of military officers seizes power.

1946:
Colonel Juan Perón is elected president. He promises higher wages and better working conditions. His wife, Eva "Evita" Perón, is in charge of labor relations. She becomes a powerful political figure.

1982:
Argentina goes to war with Britain over control of the Falkland Islands. Argentina’s military government collapses, ending a period of repression.

1991:
The government makes the peso equal to the value of the U.S. dollar. This helps to stabilize the Argentine economy.

2001:
Thousands protest soaring unemployment and increased poverty. On December 20, President Fernando de la Rua resigns. Congress names a new president, Eduardo Duhalde.