Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/01. Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Rwanda, sourced from Wikipedia's "Timeline of Rwandan history".
Chronological Storyline (26 Milestones)
17 CE
Ruganzu Ndori
Tutsi king Ruganzu Ndori comes to prominence. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (17th century):
Flag of Rwanda. The flag ratio is 2:3 with the stripes being 2:1:1. Colors are the following officially: Pantone 299 C 2X (blue), RAL 6029 (green), RAL 1023 (yellow) and RAL 1003 (golden yellow). (As of 03/08/2010, the only color used is the Pantone 299 C, which is from here. The rest of the colors are RAL shades from here.) By Original: Unknown Vector: Zscout370 - Page 42 CONSTRUCTION SHEET:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=327857
1858 CE
John Hanning Speke
The area is visited by British explorer John Hanning Speke, the first European to do so. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (19th century):
John Hanning Speke (1827-1864) By Southwell Brothers - one or more third parties have made copyright claims against Wikimedia Commons in relation to the work from which this is sourced or a purely mechanical reproduction thereof. This may be due to recognition of the "sweat of the brow" doctrine, allowing works to be eligible for protection through skill and labour, and not purely by originality as is the case in the United States (where this website is hosted). These claims may or may not be valid in all jurisdictions. As such, use of this image in the jurisdiction of the claimant or other countries may be regarded as copyright infringement. Please see Commons:When to use the PD-Art tag for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16971284
Mar 28, 1884 CE
Society for German Colonization
The Society for German Colonization is formed by Karl Peters in order to acquire German colonial territories in overseas countries. Peters signs treaties with several native chieftains on the mainland opposite Zanzibar. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (19th century):
First german colonial region in east africa, 1885. By Chrischerf - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16833175
Apr 2, 1885 CE
German East Africa Company
The German East Africa Company is formed by Karl Peters to govern German East Africa. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (19th century):
Coat of arms of the German East Africa Company (GEAC) By Felipe Fidelis Tobias - Own work [1], CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144668633
1899 CE
Rwanda is incorporated into German East
Rwanda is incorporated into German East Africa. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (19th century):
Feb 23, 1901 CE
Nyasaland
A boundary is agreed between German East Africa and Nyasaland. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Flag of Nyasaland (1925–1964). By Fry1989 eh? - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76349258
1916 CE
Rwanda is occupied by Belgian forces.
Rwanda is occupied by Belgian forces. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Jul 20, 1922 CE
League of Nations mandate
Rwanda-Urundi are joined as a League of Nations mandate, governed by Belgium. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
League of Nations mandate By Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76165
1933 CE
All citizens in Rwanda-Urundi are issued
All citizens in Rwanda-Urundi are issued with an identity card defining their ethnicity. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
1943 CE
Famine affects the region.
Famine affects the region. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
1945 CE
United Nations Trust Territories
Rwanda-Urundi becomes a United Nations Trust Territory. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Palau District Police greet the UN Visiting Mission By TTPI(Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) Headquarters - Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Archives Photograph Collection(http://digicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu/ttphotos/Pages/viewimage.php?img=4134&famNum=1), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11236501
1957 CE
The Hutu Manifesto is published.
The Hutu Manifesto is published. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Jul 24, 1959 CE
King of Rwanda
Mwami Mutara III dies. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Kigeli V Ndahindurwa was the ruling King of Rwanda from 1959 until 1961. By Unknown author - https://www.groene.nl/artikel/kigeli-v-29-juni-1936-16-oktober-2016, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83105009
1960 CE
An election is held.
An election is held. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
1961 CE
Rwandans vote to abolish the Tutsi
Rwandans vote to abolish the Tutsi monarchy. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Following a Tutsi guerilla attack from Burundi, an anti-Tutsi backlash kills thousands. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Jul 5, 1973 CE
coup d'état
Grégoire Kayibanda is overthrown in a military coup d'état. <!-- check-some sources give 4 July --> Juvénal Habyarimana becomes the third President of Rwanda. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
coup d'état By François Bouchot - www.histoire-image.org (direct link), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=304325
Dec 26, 1985 CE
Dian Fossey
American naturalist Dian Fossey is murdered in her Rwandan cabin. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Photograph of Dian Fossey in 1968, taken while she was visiting her family in Menlo Park, California By Tribune Publishing, no photographer credited - Redwood City Tribune, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=192150349
Oct 1, 1990 CE
Rwandan Patriotic Front
The Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) makes an attack from Uganda, starting the Rwandan Civil War. <!-- Check some sources say 2nd October? --> Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Flag of the Rwandan Patriotic Front By RPF–Inkotanyi, - https://rpfinkotanyi.rw/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146874363
Aug 4, 1993 CE
Arusha Accords
The Arusha Accords are signed between President Habyarimana and leaders of the RPF in Arusha, Tanzania, ending the Rwandan Civil War. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
View of Arusha City in 2021, Arusha Region, Tanzania. By Halidtz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=113072596
Apr 6, 1994 CE
Cyprien Ntaryamira
President Habyarimana and Burundian President Cyprien Ntaryamira are assassinated as their aircraft is shot down approaching Kigali. This incident sparks the Rwandan genocide. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
Dassault Falcon 50 9XR-NN Government of Rwanda BRU EBBR Brussels Zaventem Airport By Wally H - https://www.flickr.com/photos/146301829@N08/50811398751/, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=181068382
Mar 24, 2000 CE
Paul Kagame
Paul Kagame is selected as interim President of Rwanda. Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (20th century):
2024.gada 2.oktobris. Saeimā viesojas Ruandas Republikas prezidents Pauls Kagame (Paul Kagame). Foto: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima Izmantošanas noteikumi: saeima.lv/lv/autortiesibas By Saeima - https://www.flickr.com/photos/42130586@N02/54037416823/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158702812
2006 CE
2006 in Rwanda
2006 Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (21st century):
2007 CE
2007 in Rwanda
2007 Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (21st century):
2009 CE
2009 in Rwanda
2009 Source — Wikipedia, "Timeline of Rwandan history" (21st century):
