World History Timeline

Timeline

15 events

7th century

  2. 645★★★★★

    Taika Reform

    The Japanese court launches reforms modelled on Tang China, centralising power around the emperor.

    Politics· Japan

8th century

  2. 794★★★★★

    Capital moved to Heian-kyō (Kyoto)

    Emperor Kanmu moves the capital to Heian-kyō, beginning the Heian period, a golden age of Japanese court culture.

    PoliticsCulture· Japan

12th century

  1. 1192★★★★★

    Minamoto no Yoritomo becomes shōgun

    Minamoto no Yoritomo is appointed shōgun, consolidating the Kamakura shogunate, Japan's first warrior government.

    PoliticsDynasty· Japan

16th century

  1. 1582★★★★★

    Honnō-ji Incident

    Oda Nobunaga, who was unifying Japan, is betrayed by his general Akechi Mitsuhide and dies at Honnō-ji temple in Kyoto.

    PoliticsDeath· Japan

17th century

  1. 1603★★★★★

    Tokugawa shogunate established

    Tokugawa Ieyasu is appointed shōgun and establishes his government at Edo, opening more than 250 years of Edo-period peace.

    PoliticsDynasty· Japan
  2. 1639 – 1853★★★★★

    Japan's sakoku isolation policy

    The shogunate expels the Portuguese and severely restricts foreign contact, allowing only Dutch and Chinese trade at Nagasaki.

    PoliticsEconomy· Japan

19th century

  1. July 8, 1853★★★★★

    Perry Expedition arrives in Japan

    U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry's 'Black Ships' enter Edo Bay, pressing Japan to end its isolation policy.

    PoliticsExploration· Japan, United States
  2. January 3, 1868★★★★★

    Meiji Restoration

    Power is restored to Emperor Meiji, ending the shogunate and launching Japan's rapid modernisation.

    PoliticsRevolution· Japan
  3. February 11, 1889★★★★★

    Meiji Constitution promulgated

    Emperor Meiji promulgates Japan's first constitution, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a parliament.

    Politics· Japan

20th century

  1. 1905 – 1909★★★★★

    Đông Du movement

    Phan Bội Châu organises sending young Vietnamese to study in Japan to prepare for the independence struggle.

    PoliticsCulture· Vietnam, Japan
  2. August 29, 1910★★★★★

    Japan annexes Korea

    The Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty takes effect, making Korea a Japanese colony until 1945.

    PoliticsTreaty· South Korea, North Korea, Japan
  3. March 9, 1945★★★★★

    Japanese coup in French Indochina

    Japan overthrows the French administration in Indochina; Bảo Đại then proclaims the Empire of Vietnam with Trần Trọng Kim as prime minister.

    WarPolitics· Vietnam, Japan, France
  4. May 3, 1947★★★★★

    Constitution of Japan takes effect

    The postwar constitution makes the emperor a symbol of the state, and its Article 9 renounces war.

    Politics· Japan
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