History of Lebanon in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 17, 2026

Lebanon is a small, sovereign nation located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its diverse cultural heritage and unique position as a bridge between the Middle East and the West, the country features a complex sectarian political system. Its capital, Beirut, was historically celebrated as the 'Paris of the Middle East' before the nation faced the devastation of a prolonged civil war (1975–1990). Today, Lebanon grapples with significant economic challenges, political instability, and the impact of hosting a large refugee population. Geographically, it is characterized by its mountainous terrain, specifically the Lebanon Mountains, and a Mediterranean climate. Despite its struggles, Lebanon maintains a vibrant cultural scene, renowned cuisine, and a resilient society that continues to navigate a turbulent regional landscape.

15 July 1958: United States Marine Intervention

On 15 July 1958, following a request for assistance from President Camille Chamoun due to the ongoing insurrection, the United States deployed 5,000 Marines to Beirut to stabilize the situation.

1916: The Sykes–Picot Agreement

In 1916, during the First World War, Britain and France established a secret pact known as the Sykes–Picot Agreement, which designated Lebanon and neighboring territories as regions subject to French influence or control.

1918: Dissolution of the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate

In 1918, the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate, an autonomous subdivision of the Ottoman Empire established in 1861, came to an end, marking the conclusion of a political entity that had served as a homeland for Maronites following the 1860 massacres.

1919: Paris Peace Conference Territorial Expansion

During the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, Patriarch Elias Peter Hoayek advocated for the expansion of Lebanon's borders to incorporate territories with significant Muslim and Druze populations alongside the existing Christian-majority Mount Lebanon region.

September 1920: Establishment of Greater Lebanon

On 1 September 1920, Greater Lebanon was created as a League of Nations Mandate under French administration, merging Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and the Bekaa valley, with Beirut established as the capital city.

1920: Dissolution of the Arab Kingdom of Syria and Establishment of French Mandate

In 1920, King Faisal I declared the independence of the Arab Kingdom of Syria and claimed authority over Lebanon. This ambition was short-lived as the kingdom was dismantled following the defeat of Arab forces by the French at the Battle of Maysalun in 1920. Concurrently, the San Remo Conference confirmed that France would exercise control over Syria and Lebanon, a decision subsequently solidified by the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres later in 1920.

1920: Establishment of Greater Lebanon

In 1920, the administrative unit previously known as the Mount Lebanon Mutasarrifate was officially renamed and reconstituted as Greater Lebanon (État du Grand Liban).

July 1922: Ratification of the Mandate

In July 1922, the administrative arrangement for the French mandate over Lebanon was formally ratified, solidifying the legal framework of the state.

May 1926: Adoption of the Constitution

On 23 May 1926, the newly formed Lebanese government adopted a constitution heavily influenced by the French constitution to provide a legal structure for the republic.

September 1926: Proclamation of the Lebanese Republic

The Lebanese Republic was officially proclaimed on 1 September 1926, though the nation remained under French control despite the installation of a local government.

1941: British Military Intervention in Lebanon and Syria

In 1941, the United Kingdom launched a military campaign into Lebanon and Syria to prevent Nazi Germany from consolidating control over the region through the Vichy French government, which had previously permitted German forces to use the territory to transport aircraft and supplies to Iraq for operations against British forces.

1943: Independence of the Republic of Lebanon

In 1943, Lebanon achieved full sovereignty and independence, officially adopting the title of the Republic of Lebanon (al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah).

1943: Lebanese Independence

In 1943, Lebanon achieved independence from Free France and implemented a unique confessional political system that distributed power among its various religious groups.

1943: Establishment of the National Pact

In 1943, Lebanon established the National Pact, an unwritten political arrangement that distributed leadership positions based on religious affiliation: the president is Maronite Christian, the speaker of parliament is Shia Muslim, the prime minister is Sunni Muslim, and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister are Greek Orthodox.

October 1945: Official Termination of the French Mandate

On October 24, 1945, the United Nations officially came into existence, leading to the legal termination of the French mandate over Lebanon and the attainment of full independence as both nations became founding members of the UN.

December 1946: Withdrawal of French Troops

In December 1946, the final transition to complete sovereignty for Lebanon was marked by the withdrawal of the last French troops stationed in the country.

May 1948: Lebanon's involvement in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War

In May 1948, Lebanon provided logistical support, artillery fire, and volunteers to neighboring Arab nations during the conflict with Israel, though the Lebanese government stopped short of an official military invasion.

June 1948: Capture of Al-Malkiyya

On 5–6 June 1948, the Lebanese army, under the command of Minister of National Defense Emir Majid Arslan, successfully captured the village of Al-Malkiyya, marking the only significant military victory for Lebanon during the 1948 war.

1958: 1958 Lebanese Crisis

During the final months of Camille Chamoun's presidency in 1958, an insurrection occurred as Lebanese Muslims sought to integrate the nation into the United Arab Republic, eventually leading to a government transition under Fouad Chehab.

1970: Relocation of the Palestine Liberation Organization to Lebanon

In 1970, following their defeat in Jordan, numerous Palestinian militants migrated to Lebanon, which escalated cross-border military activities against Israel and deepened internal sectarian friction between the Palestinian groups and Lebanese factions like the Maronites.

1975: Outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War

By 1975, the persistent sectarian tensions and the heightened presence of armed Palestinian militants in southern Lebanon culminated in the eruption of a full-scale civil war, dividing the country between a Christian coalition and a joint force of the PLO, Druze, and Muslim militias.

October 1976: Formation of the Arab Deterrent Force

In October 1976, the Arab League reached a consensus to intervene in the escalating conflict by establishing the Arab Deterrent Force, a military body primarily composed of Syrian troops tasked with enforcing peace and restoring order in Lebanon.

1976: Beginning of Syrian Occupation

In 1976, Lebanon entered a period of military occupation by Syrian forces, a status that would persist until 2005.

1977: PLO Cross-Border Attacks

During 1977, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) conducted various attacks originating from Lebanese territory into Israel, which significantly increased geopolitical tensions between the two nations throughout the year.

March 1978: The Coastal Road Massacre and Subsequent Israeli Invasion

In March 1978, specifically following a March 11 bus hijacking that left 37 Israelis dead, Israel launched an invasion of Lebanon. The conflict led to the occupation of territory south of the Litani River, the passage of UNSC Resolution 425, and the establishment of UNIFIL. By the end of March 1978, although Israel withdrew many forces, they maintained a security zone managed by the South Lebanon Army.

1978: First Israeli Invasion

In 1978, Lebanon experienced the first of several Israeli invasions, marking the beginning of a series of military conflicts between the two nations.

April 1980: At Tiri military conflict

In April 1980, a military conflict erupted near At Tiri within the buffer zone after the South Lebanon Army killed two UNIFIL soldiers and injured a third, heightening tensions in the region.

July 1981: Israeli bombing of Beirut apartment buildings

On 17 July 1981, Israeli aircraft conducted a bombing raid on apartment buildings in Beirut housing PLO-affiliated offices, reportedly resulting in hundreds of civilian casualties, which triggered global condemnation and a U.S. export embargo on aircraft.

1985: Beginning of Israeli Occupation

Lebanon was subjected to a military occupation by Israel starting in 1985, which lasted for fifteen years until 2000.

1990: End of the Lebanese Civil War

The Lebanese Civil War, which began in 1975, finally concluded in 1990 after fifteen years of internal conflict.

2000: End of Israeli Occupation

The Israeli military occupation of Lebanese territory, which had commenced in 1985, concluded in the year 2000.

2005: End of Syrian Occupation

The Syrian military occupation of Lebanon, which originally began in 1976, was brought to an end in 2005.

2017: Demographics and living conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon

As of 2017, the population of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon was estimated to be between 174,000 and 450,000 people, with approximately half residing in refugee camps that have developed into long-term neighborhoods. These individuals faced significant legal restrictions regarding property ownership and employment, leading to reports by organizations like Human Rights Watch describing their social and economic conditions as appalling in 2017.

2020: The 2020 Beirut Explosion

In 2020, a catastrophic explosion occurred in Beirut, which served as a major turning point that exacerbated Lebanon's existing liquidity crisis, leading to the collapse of the national currency, widespread political instability, and a severe surge in poverty and unemployment throughout 2020.

22 November 1943: Release of Government Officials and Recognition of Independence

Due to significant international pressure from the British and widespread local protests, the French authorities released the imprisoned Lebanese government officials on 22 November 1943 and formally accepted the nation's independence.

26 November 1941: Declaration of Lebanese Independence under Free French Authority

On 26 November 1941, General Georges Catroux officially announced that Lebanon would transition to independence while remaining under the authority of the Free French government.

8 November 1943: Unilateral Abolishment of the French Mandate

On 8 November 1943, following national elections, the newly formed Lebanese government unilaterally moved to abolish the French mandate, a decision that led to the immediate imprisonment of the government officials by French authorities.