History of Jordan in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 19, 2026

Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is an Arab nation located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Known for its historical significance and strategic location, the country is home to the world-renowned archaeological site of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage site carved into desert cliffs. Governed as a constitutional monarchy, Jordan has long been recognized as a relatively stable beacon in a volatile Middle Eastern region, maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Western powers. Its geography encompasses the arid Syrian Desert, the Jordan Valley, and a small coastline along the Red Sea. Despite having limited natural resources, particularly water, Jordan has cultivated a resilient economy and a strong educational sector. It plays a critical role in regional geopolitics, having hosted numerous refugees from neighboring conflicts while promoting a moderate political stance. The country serves as a vital bridge between ancient history, preserved in its Roman ruins and desert castles, and modern aspirations for regional integration and stability.

14 December 1955: Jordan Joins the United Nations

On 14 December 1955, Jordan formally became a member state of the United Nations, marking a significant milestone in its international recognition.

1905: Shoubak Revolt

In 1905, tribal populations in the Transjordan region staged an uprising known as the Shoubak revolt as a direct response to Ottoman administrative pressure, conscription, and heavy taxation.

1908: The Young Turk Revolution

In 1908, the Young Turk Revolution occurred, leading the Ottoman Empire to implement policies of Turkification and centralization, which fueled Arab nationalist sentiments across the Levant.

1908: Completion of the Hejaz Railway

The Hejaz Railway was constructed in 1908, connecting Damascus to Medina and passing through Transjordan, which stimulated the local economy by establishing the region as a major transit hub for pilgrims.

1910: Karak Revolt

The Karak revolt occurred in 1910 when local tribes rebelled against Ottoman policies; the uprising was subsequently met with brutal suppression by the authorities.

1915: McMahon–Hussein Correspondence

In 1915, the McMahon–Hussein Correspondence established an agreement where Britain expressed willingness to recognize an independent, unified Arab state under Hashemite rule, an agreement later seen as betrayed by subsequent actions.

June 1916: Commencement of the Arab Revolt

On June 1916, the Arab Revolt began in Medina, led by Sharif Hussein of Mecca and his sons, marking a significant push against Ottoman rule during World War I.

1916: Sykes–Picot Agreement

In 1916, the secret Sykes–Picot Agreement was established, dividing the Middle East into British and French spheres of influence and undermining Arab independence goals.

1916: Great Arab Revolt

The Great Arab Revolt occurred in 1916 during World War I, leading to the eventual partition of former Ottoman Syria.

July 1917: Battle of Aqaba

In July 1917, the Arab Revolt forces moved northwards, reaching Transjordan and engaging in the Battle of Aqaba, a key turning point in the conflict.

1917: Balfour Declaration

In 1917, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration, formally announcing support for a national home for Jewish people in Palestine, which was perceived as a betrayal by the Arab population.

October 1918: Establishment of the Arab-led Administration

In October 1918, Faisal entered Damascus to establish an Arab-led military administration, which eventually became the Arab Kingdom of Syria, an entity that included parts of Transjordan.

July 1920: Battle of Maysalun

On July 1920, the Hashemite Kingdom in Syria surrendered to French forces following the Battle of Maysalun, resulting in a period of interregnum for Transjordan.

August 1920: Herbert Samuel's declaration in As-Salt

On 21 August 1920, British High Commissioner Herbert Samuel visited As-Salt and addressed 600 Transjordanian notables, promising British support for local governance in Transjordan while affirming that the territory would remain distinct from Palestine.

November 1920: Abdullah's arrival in Ma'an

On November 1920, Abdullah, the second son of Sharif Hussein, arrived in Ma'an, Transjordan, by train from Hejaz with the intention of reclaiming the Greater Syrian Kingdom following his brother's failure.

March 1921: Incorporation into the Mandate for Palestine

In March 1921, the British government incorporated Transjordan into the Mandate for Palestine as part of their "Sharifian Solution," specifically exempting the territory from the provisions concerning Jewish settlement.

April 1921: Establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan

On April 11, 1921, the Emirate of Transjordan was officially established, with Abdullah serving as the emir, solidifying the new governance structure in the region.

1921: Kura Rebellion of 1921

During 1921, Abdullah's forces, supported by the British, successfully suppressed a local rebellion in the Kura region of Transjordan.

1921: Establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan

In 1921, the Emirate of Transjordan was established as a British protectorate following the partitioning of Ottoman territories.

September 1922: League of Nations Recognition of Transjordan

In September 1922, the Council of the League of Nations formally recognized Transjordan as a state through the Transjordan memorandum, establishing its political framework.

1923: Kura Rebellion of 1923

A second uprising occurred in Kura in 1923, which was again put down by Abdullah's forces with British assistance.

1946: Jordanian Independence

In 1946, Jordan gained full independence and was officially designated as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

1946: End of British Mandate

In 1946, the British mandate over Transjordan officially concluded, marking a transition toward greater sovereignty for the nation.

May 1948: Jordanian Intervention in the 1948 Palestine War

On May 1948, Jordan intervened in the Palestine war alongside several other Arab states, marking a significant entry into the regional conflict.

1948: 1948 Palestine War and Annexation

During the 1948 Palestine war, Jordan captured and annexed the West Bank, integrating it into its territory.

1948: Commencement of Refugee Acceptance

Starting in 1948, Jordan established a long-standing policy of accepting refugees fleeing conflicts in surrounding nations, setting a precedent for the country's humanitarian role.

1949: Official English Name Transition

Although the country had been using the title Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan since 1946, it was officially referred to as the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan in English until 1949.

April 1950: Formal Annexation of the West Bank

On April 1950, following the Jericho Conference, Jordan formally annexed the West Bank territories it had controlled since the end of the 1948 war.

June 1950: Arab League Declaration on Annexation

On June 1950, the Arab League issued a declaration stating that Jordan's annexation of the West Bank was merely a temporary, practical measure where Jordan served as a trustee until a future resolution could be reached.

1951: Assassination of King Abdullah

In 1951, King Abdullah was assassinated at the Al-Aqsa Mosque by a Palestinian militant, a tragic event fueled by rumors concerning a potential peace treaty with Israel.

1952: Establishment of the Modern Constitution

In 1952, King Talal succeeded his father and established the modern constitution for Jordan, marking a significant milestone in the country's legal history.

1953: Accession of King Hussein

Due to King Talal's health complications and subsequent abdication, his son Hussein ascended to the throne in 1953 at the age of 17.

March 1956: Arabisation of the Army Command

On 1 March 1956, King Hussein dismissed senior British officers from the military leadership to diminish foreign influence and bolster national sovereignty.

July 1958: Dissolution of the Arab Federation

Following a violent military coup in Iraq on 14 July 1958 that deposed King Faisal II, the short-lived Arab Federation between Jordan and Iraq was dissolved after only six months of existence.

June 1967: Jordan enters the Six-Day War

In June 1967, Jordan entered into a military pact with Egypt and subsequently joined the conflict against Israel. The war resulted in a defeat for the Arab states and Jordan's loss of control over the West Bank.

1967: The Jordan River Cease-fire Line

In 1967, a cease-fire line was established along the Jordan River, which served as a focal point for military activity during subsequent conflicts, including the 1973 war.

1967: Israeli Occupation of the West Bank

In 1967, the West Bank, which had been under Jordanian control, was occupied by Israel.

1968: The Battle of Karameh

In 1968, the Jordanian Armed Forces and the PLO successfully repelled an Israeli military attack on the Karameh camp. This event earned significant acclaim across the Arab world and led to increased support for Palestinian paramilitary groups known as the fedayeen.

September 1970: Black September Conflict

In September 1970, tensions between the Jordanian state and the fedayeen reached a breaking point, resulting in the Jordanian army launching a military operation. This conflict forced the expulsion of various PLO groups into Lebanon.

1973: Jordanian Participation in the Yom Kippur War

During the 1973 Yom Kippur War between Egypt, Syria, and Israel, Jordan deployed a military brigade to Syria to assist in attacks against Israeli units, though Jordan notably avoided direct conflict with Israel along its own borders in 1973.

1974: Rabat Summit Conference

At the 1974 Rabat summit conference, Jordan joined other Arab League nations in formally recognizing the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people following the Yom Kippur War.

1988: Renunciation of Claims to the West Bank

In 1988, Jordan officially renounced its claim to the West Bank territory in favor of the Palestinians.

1988: Renunciation of West Bank Claims

In 1988, Jordan officially renounced its territorial claims to the West Bank, marking a significant shift in its regional policy and relations with the Palestinian cause.

1994: Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty

In 1994, Jordan and Israel formally signed a peace treaty to resolve their longstanding conflict.

2010: Arab Spring Regional Instability

During the Arab Spring in 2010, the region experienced significant turmoil, yet Jordan remained largely stable and unscathed by the violence that affected its neighbors.

2015: Refugee Population Status

As of 2015, Jordan served as a sanctuary for a large displaced population, including approximately 2.1 million Palestinian refugees and 1.4 million Syrian refugees, which significantly impacted the nation's infrastructure.

22 March 1946: Signing of the Treaty of London

On 22 March 1946, the British government and the Emir of Transjordan signed the Treaty of London, which served as a formal recognition of the independence of the state.

25 May 1946: Establishment of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

On 25 May 1946, the Transjordan parliament ratified the Treaty of London, elevating the nation to the status of a kingdom named the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with Abdullah I becoming the first king. This date is now observed annually as Jordan's Independence Day.