Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/10. Middle East & North Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Jordan (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (28 Milestones)
1200 BCE
Ammon, Moab, Edom kingdoms rise
Semitic kingdoms of Ammon, Moab, and Edom emerge across the territory of modern Jordan, establishing fortified cities and engaging in regional trade and conflict with Israelite kingdoms. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Map showing states around Israel & Judah. The Kingdoms around Israel & Judah are colored: Phoenicia: Brown Aram Damascus: Aquamarine Amon: Orange Moab: Purple Edom: Yellow Philistia: Red The map shows the region in the 9th century BCE. By Kingdoms_of_Israel_and_Judah_map_830.svg: *Oldtidens_Israel_&_Judea.svg: FinnWikiNo derivative work: Richardprins (talk) derivative work: Richardprins (talk) - .mw-parser-output .messagebox{margin:4px 0;width:auto;border-collapse:collapse;border:2px solid var(--border-color-progressive,#6485d1);background-color:var(--background-color-neutral-subtle,#fbfcff);color:var(--color-base,#202122);box-sizing:border-box;border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .messagebox.mbox-small{font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .mbox-warning,.mw-parser-output .mbox-speedy{border:2px solid var(--border-color-error,#b22222);background:var(--background-color-error-subtle,#ffdbdb);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-serious,.mw-parser-output .mbox-delete,.mw-parser-output .mbox-stop{border:2px solid var(--border-color-error,#b22222);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-issue,.mw-parser-output .mbox-content{border:2px solid #f28500;background:var(--background-color-warning-subtle,#ffe);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-query,.mw-parser-output .mbox-style{border:2px solid #f4c430;background:var(--background-color-warning-subtle,#ffe);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-shit{border:2px solid #960;border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-license{border:2px solid #88a;border-inline-start-width:initial}.mw-parser-output .mbox-legal{border:2px solid var(--border-color-notice,#666);background:var(--background-color-base,#fff);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-honor{border:2px solid #ca3;background:var(--background-color-warning-subtle,#fcf4db);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-growth{border:2px solid #8d4;background:var(--background-color-success-subtle,#d5fdf4);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-move{border:2px solid #93c;border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .mbox-protection,.mw-parser-output .mbox-message{border:2px solid var(--border-color-base,#aaa);border-inline-start-width:8px}.mw-parser-output .messagebox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.9em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .messagebox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .messagebox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .messagebox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .messagebox .mbox-invalid-type{text-align:center}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .messagebox{margin:4px 10%}.mw-parser-output .messagebox.mbox-small{clear:right;float:right;margin:4px 0 4px 1em;width:238px}}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output table.messagebox img{max-width:none!important}References for this description (or part of this) or for the depiction in the file are not provided. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page.Kingdoms_of_Israel_and_Judah_map_830.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10876701
312 BCE
Nabataean Kingdom established
The Nabataean Kingdom emerges with its capital at Petra, controlling lucrative trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Levant and building remarkable rock-cut architecture. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
The map of the Nabatean Kingdom. By SVG map by Ali Zifan - http://books.openedition.org/ifpo/docannexe/image/4896/img-1-small700.jpg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49995639
106 CE
Roman annexation of Nabataea
The Roman Empire under Trajan annexes the Nabataean Kingdom, creating the province of Arabia Petraea with Bosra as its capital, integrating the region into the Roman world. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Locator map of the Arabia Petraea province in the Roman Empire (125). Extracted from File:Roman Empire 125 political map.svg By Milenioscuro - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45059700
Jan 1, 634 CE
Islamic conquest of Jordan
Muslim Arab forces defeat Byzantine armies at the Battle of Fahl (Pella), bringing Jordan under Islamic rule and beginning centuries of Arab-Islamic civilization in the region. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Pella (Tabaqat Fahil) : vue d'ensemble du site. By Jean Housen - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11652731
661 CE
Umayyad desert castles built
Under the Umayyad Caliphate, Jordan flourishes as a provincial heartland; caliphs and elites construct elaborate desert castles and palaces like Qusayr Amra and Qasr Kharana. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
East (front) elevation and portion of south side of Qusayr Amra, Jordan By Daniel Case - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6799628
750 CE
Abbasid Caliphate takes over
The Abbasid Revolution ousts the Umayyads, shifting political power eastward to Iraq. Jordan's prosperity declines as trade routes and administrative focus move away from the Levant. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag which can be used to represent the Abbasid Caliphate. Note that the concept of rectangular national flags did not exist during Abbasid times, but black was the dynastic color of the Abbasids (just as green was the dynastic color of the Fatimids, etc.), and the "black banner" of the Abbasids is famous in Islamic history. By Ec.Domnowall - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33988856
1187 CE
Ayyubid reconquest of region
Saladin's forces defeat the Crusaders and bring Jordan under Ayyubid control, ending Crusader dominance in the region and restoring Muslim rule over the territory. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of Jordan By Unknown - CONSTRUCTION SHEET, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343622
1516 CE
Ottoman conquest of Jordan
The Ottoman Empire defeats the Mamluks at the Battle of Marj Dabiq, incorporating Jordan into its vast domains. The region remains under Ottoman rule for four centuries. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Miniature of the Battle of Mercidabık as depicted in the Selimname. Selīm-nāma by Şūkrī-i Bitlisī f.216b. The Battle of Marj Dabiq (Mercidabık), 1516 By Şükr-i Bitlisi (Yaşam süresi: 1531) - Özgün yayın: Selimname Şu anki kaynağı: Türkiye, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82261520
Aug 1, 1812 CE
Petra rediscovered by Burckhardt
Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovers the ancient city of Petra, hidden for centuries, bringing international attention to Jordan's archaeological heritage. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Al Deir, "The Monastery", a monument closely resembling Al Khazneh though less ornate. It can be accessed climbing a long flight of stairs carved in the mountain above Petra. A man can be seen at the top of the facade, slightly on the right of the picture. By Azurfrog - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29674565
Jun 10, 1916 CE
Arab Revolt begins
Sharif Hussein of Mecca launches the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule, with Arab forces including those from Jordan fighting alongside the British to liberate the Levant and Arabia. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Soldiers in the Arab Army during the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918, carrying the Arab Flag of the Arab Revolt and pictured in the Hejaz. By Maurice Bauche (1878–1956) - New source: https://archives.ecpad.fr:443/ark:39674/1f13342b751c679e9f43fa163ef0300b.moteur=arko_default_6989dacfef00f Old source: http://www.syrianhistory.com/photos/030.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3119416
Apr 11, 1921 CE
Emirate of Transjordan created
Britain establishes the Emirate of Transjordan as a separate entity from Palestine, installing Abdullah I as emir under British mandate oversight, laying the foundation for modern Jordan. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of the Emirate of Transjordan By SKopp - File:Flag of Transjordan (1928-39).png File:Flag of Jordan.svg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41329160
May 25, 1923 CE
Transjordan mandate recognized
Britain formally recognizes Transjordan as an independent administration under the Mandate system, with Abdullah I as ruler and British advisors guiding governance and military affairs. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of Jordan By Unknown - CONSTRUCTION SHEET, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343622
May 25, 1946 CE
Jordan gains full independence
The Treaty of London ends the British Mandate, and Transjordan becomes the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a fully sovereign state with Abdullah I as its first king. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Picture of the Citadell in Amman, Jordan By Davric - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78177897
May 1, 1948 CE
Arab-Israeli War and annexation
Jordan participates in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and annexes the West Bank and East Jerusalem, significantly expanding its territory and Palestinian Arab population. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Tel Aviv-Yafo (Israel) Photographs;התחנה המרכזית (תל אביב) Photographs By Benno Rothenberg - This image is available from National Library of Israel under the digital ID: 997008136796005171, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113320395
Jul 20, 1951 CE
King Abdullah I assassinated
King Abdullah I is assassinated at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by a Palestinian nationalist, ending the reign of Jordan's founding monarch and creating a succession crisis. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Coffin of King Abdullah I in Jordan, 29 July 1951. Prince Hussein seen By Unknown author - Jordanian archives, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62826220
May 2, 1953 CE
King Hussein crowned
King Hussein bin Talal formally ascends the throne at age 18 after his father Talal's abdication due to illness, beginning a 46-year reign that defines modern Jordan. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
King Hussein I , of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, meets with Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen in the Pentagon on April 2, 1997. Helene C. Stikkel. By Helene C. Stikkel - First uploader was Wikifreund at de.wikipedia - This image was released by the United States Department of Defense with the ID 970402-D-2987S-077 (next). This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing. العربية ∙ বাংলা ∙ Bahaso Jambi ∙ Deutsch ∙ Deutsch (Sie-Form) ∙ English ∙ español ∙ euskara ∙ فارسی ∙ français ∙ italiano ∙ 日本語 ∙ 한국어 ∙ македонски ∙ മലയാളം ∙ Plattdüütsch ∙ Nederlands ∙ polski ∙ پښتو ∙ português ∙ русский ∙ slovenščina ∙ svenska ∙ Türkçe ∙ українська ∙ 简体中文 ∙ 繁體中文 ∙ +/− Transferred from de.wikipedia to Commons by Wdwd using CommonsHelper., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15712470
Sep 2, 1962 CE
University of Jordan founded
The University of Jordan opens in Amman as the nation's first public university, marking a major milestone in Jordanian higher education and intellectual development. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
University of Jordan Logo By University of Jordan - http://www.ju.edu.jo/UJInFigures/Figures%20for%20the%20year%202007-2008%20(English).pdf, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39083736
Jun 5, 1967 CE
Six-Day War devastates Jordan
Jordan loses the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel in the Six-Day War, a catastrophic defeat that brings hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees into Jordan. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Arab territories gained by Israel in the aftermath of the Six-Day War. By Zvikorn - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=85363862
Sep 1, 1970 CE
Black September conflict
Violent clashes erupt between Jordanian armed forces and Palestinian guerrilla organizations, resulting in thousands of deaths and the eventual expulsion of the PLO from Jordan. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Smoke rises above Amman during Black September, 1 October 1970 By Unknown author - Jordanian archives, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62026042
Jul 1, 1971 CE
PLO expelled from Jordan
Jordanian forces complete the expulsion of Palestinian militant organizations, consolidating King Hussein's control and fundamentally reshaping Jordan's relationship with the Palestinian movement. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Smoke rises above Amman during Black September, 1 October 1970 By Unknown author - Jordanian archives, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62026042
Jul 31, 1988 CE
Jordan renounces West Bank claim
King Hussein announces Jordan's administrative and legal disengagement from the West Bank, ceding responsibility to the PLO and paving the way for future Palestinian self-determination. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of Jordan By Unknown - CONSTRUCTION SHEET, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343622
Oct 26, 1994 CE
Peace treaty with Israel
Jordan and Israel sign a historic peace treaty at the Arava border crossing, making Jordan the second Arab country to formally recognize Israel and establishing full diplomatic relations. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Jordan's King Hussein sign the Washington Agreement on the White House Lawn as U.S. President Bill Clinton watches. חתימת חוזה השלום בין ישראל לירדן על מדשאת הבית הלבן בוושינגטון, ארצות הברית. בצילום, נשיא ארה"ב ביל קלינטון (מרכז) מביט על ראש הממשלה יצחק רבין וחוסיין מלך ירדן (משמאל) החותמים על הסכם השלום בין המדינות. প্রধানমন্ত্রী রবিন এবং জর্ডানের রাজা কিং হোসাইন শান্তি চুক্তি স্বাক্ষর করেছেন. By Yaakov Saar - This is available from National Photo Collection of Israel, Photography dept. Government Press Office (link), under the digital ID D3-014.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing for more information., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22808155
Feb 7, 1999 CE
King Abdullah II ascends throne
King Hussein dies after a long battle with cancer, and his son Abdullah II becomes king, ushering in a new era of economic reform and modernization for Jordan. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
05/06/2025. London, United Kingdom. Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets King of Jordan Abdullah II for a bilateral meeting in 10 Downing Street. Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street By Number 10 - Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets King of Jordan Abdullah II, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=194466002
Dec 17, 2001 CE
Free trade agreement with US
Jordan and the United States implement a free trade agreement, Jordan's first with a non-Arab country, boosting exports and deepening economic ties with Washington. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of Jordan By Unknown - CONSTRUCTION SHEET, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343622
Jan 1, 2011 CE
Arab Spring protests in Jordan
Inspired by regional uprisings, Jordanians stage protests demanding political reform, economic relief, and an end to corruption, prompting King Abdullah II to dismiss governments and promise reforms. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
A mass protest in Amman, Jordan, November 2012, over price hikes By Elizabeth Arrott - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLcUZl4WGEE – View/save archived versions on archive.org, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22731608
Oct 1, 2012 CE
Constitutional reforms enacted
Jordan implements significant constitutional amendments establishing a Constitutional Court and Independent Election Commission, part of broader reforms responding to Arab Spring demands. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Coat of Arms of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan during the reign of King Hussein. Inscription on the scroll comprises three phrases. On the right side is “Al Hussein bin Talal bin Aoun” (Aoun is the great grandfather of Al Sharif Al Hussein bin Ali); in the middle is “King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan”; on the left side: “Who seeks support and guidance from God.” By Original Author: Vector-Images.com Converted from EPS to SVG by: Oren neu dag - http://vector-images.com/image.php?epsid=7040, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4494013
Dec 24, 2015 CE
Jordan joins anti-ISIS coalition
After the burning alive of captured Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh by ISIS, Jordan intensifies airstrikes against the Islamic State, deepening its role in the international anti-terror coalition. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of Jordan By Unknown - CONSTRUCTION SHEET, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343622
Mar 1, 2020 CE
COVID-19 pandemic strikes Jordan
Jordan imposes one of the region's strictest lockdowns to combat COVID-19, successfully containing early waves but facing significant economic fallout from the pandemic and its restrictions. Source — Wikipedia, "Jordan":
Flag of Jordan By Unknown - CONSTRUCTION SHEET, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343622
