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330
Event 1
Constantine, the ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire (also called Byzantium), founds New Rome. It later becomes Constantinople. -
Sep 16, 1288
Event 2
Osman, a warrior chieftain, founds the Ottoman Empire. -
May 8, 1453
Event 3
Sultan Mehmed II conquers Constantinople and extends Ottoman control. The powerful empire lasts 600 years. -
Jul 10, 1520
Event 4
Sultan Suleyman I expands the empire and builds mosques and monuments. -
Event 5
After World War I, Ottomans and foreign troops occupy the region. -
Event 6
Mustafa Kemal, called Ataturk ('Father of the Turks') leads a rebellion. He becomes president of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. Ataturk launches sweeping reforms -
Event 7
Constantinople is officially renamed Istanbul. -
Event 8
Turkey invades Cyprus. Both Greece and Turkey want control of the island. -
Event 9
After a military takeover, a new constitution is adopted. -
Event 10
The government and a separatist Kurdish group battle. More than 30,000 are killed in the fighting.