Norway
Norway Timeline
Travel through our timeline of major events in Norway's history.
800 A.D. - 1050 A.D.:
During the Viking age, seafarers set out to conquer other lands. In 985, Erik the Red leads settlers to Greenland.
995:
King Olav establishes Christianity as the region's main religion.
1350:
Bubonic plague, called the Black Death, kills more than half of the population.
1397:
Under the Kalmar Union, Norway, Sweeden and Denmark agree to share a monarch. The union lasts until 1523, when Sweden becomes independent.
1536:
Norway is proclaimed a Danish province.
1814:
Denmark gives up Norway to Sweden. Although ruled by a Swedish king, Norwegians adopt a constitution and elect a king. After a 14-day war, Norway accepts Sweden's king, but keeps its constitution.
1905:
Norway proclaims its independence from Sweden. Prince Carl of Denmark becomes king.
1940:
German forces invade neutral Norway. They occupy Norway until the end of the World War II, in 1945.
1949:
Norway joins the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance of nations.
1960s:
Oil and gas are discovered in waters near Norway, boosting the country's economy.
1972:
Norwegians vote against joining the European Union. They reject the EU again in 1994.
1993:
U.S., Israeli and Palestinian leaders meet in Oslo to discuss Middle East peace.