4000 BC Sami peoples move into northern Finland from the east.

1600 BC Development of Iron Age culture and emergence of the Finno-Ugric language.

1100 Finland is occupied by four tribal elements: the Sami in the north, Karelians in the east, Tavastians in the central lakes and Finns in the southwest.

1249 Swedish Birger Jarl conducts a “Christian Crusade,” thinly disguised as Swedish colonization of southwest Finland.

1290s Invasions by Russia lead to Swedish-Russian conflicts.

1555 Finland is made a Swedish duchy; beginning of 250 years of Swedish influence.

1807 Czar Alexander I of Russia occupies Finland.

1917 Finland becomes an independent republic.

1939-44 Finland declares neutrality but Russia invades; Finland declares itself a “co-belligerent” with Germany in resisting Russian attacks; Britain declares war against Finland.

1992 The 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between Finland and Russia is dissolved.

1995 Finland becomes a member of the European Union.

2000 Helsinki is designated as a European City of Culture; Tarja Halonen becomes the first female president of Finland.