History of Monaco in Timeline
Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate located on the French Riviera in Western Europe, bordering France and the Mediterranean Sea. Home to nearly 39,000 residents, with approximately 9,500 being Monégasque nationals, it's known as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places globally. French is the official language, while Monégasque, English, and Italian are also widely spoken.
1910: Monégasque Revolution
In 1910, the Monégasque Revolution forced the adoption of the 1911 Constitution of Monaco.
1911: Constitution of 1911
According to the constitution of 1911, the principality was subdivided into three municipalities.
1911: Adoption of the Constitution of Monaco
In 1911, the Constitution of Monaco was adopted, slightly reducing the autocratic rule of the Grimaldi family.
1911: First Monte Carlo Rally
Since 1911, part of the Monte Carlo Rally has been held in the principality.
1917: Municipalities Merged
In 1917, the municipalities were merged into one, and they were accorded the status of Wards or Quartiers thereafter.
July 1918: New Franco-Monégasque Treaty Signed
In July 1918, a new Franco-Monégasque Treaty was signed, providing for limited French protection over Monaco.
1918: French Treaty
In 1918, the French Treaty was signed (see also Kingdom of Sardinia).
1919: Treaty of Versailles Endorsement
In 1919, the Franco-Monégasque Treaty was endorsed by the Treaty of Versailles.
1925: Dedication of St Paul's Church
In 1925, St Paul's Anglican Church was dedicated in Monte Carlo.
1928: AS Monaco Basket founded
In 1928, multi-sport club AS Monaco founded AS Monaco Basket.
1929: Inaugural Monaco Grand Prix
Since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix has been held annually in the streets of Monaco.
1932: Monaco Doesn't Participate in the Olympics
In 1932, Monaco did not participate in the Olympic Games.
September 1943: German Occupation of Monaco
In September 1943, after Mussolini's fall from power, the German Wehrmacht occupied Italy and Monaco, leading to the Nazi deportation of the Jewish population.
August 1944: Execution of Resistance Leaders
In August 1944, the Germans executed René Borghini, Joseph-Henri Lajoux and Esther Poggio, who were Resistance leaders.
1946: Opening of the Grotte de l'Observatoire to the Public
Since 1946, the Grotte de l'Observatoire has been open to the public.
1948: Foundation of the Association Culturelle Israélite de Monaco
In 1948, the Association Culturelle Israélite de Monaco was founded, containing a synagogue, a community Hebrew school, and a kosher food shop.
1949: Rainier III Succeeds to the Throne
In 1949, Rainier III succeeded to the throne upon the death of his grandfather, Prince Louis II.
1953: AS Monaco in Ligue 1
Since 1953, AS Monaco has competed at the top level for all but six seasons.
April 1956: Prince Rainier Marries Grace Kelly
On April 19, 1956, Prince Rainier married the American actress Grace Kelly, an event that was widely televised.
1956: Monaco Doesn't Participate in the Olympics
In 1956, Monaco did not participate in the Olympic Games.
1958: Construction of Reformed Church Building
From 1958 to 1959, the building for the Reformed church was being constructed.
1959: Construction of Reformed Church Building
From 1958 to 1959, the building for the Reformed church was being constructed.
1959: Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest
In 1959, Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
1962: Amendment to the Constitution
In 1962, an amendment to the constitution abolished capital punishment, provided for women's suffrage, and established a Supreme Court.
1962: Taxation tension between France and Monaco
In the early 1960s, specifically 1962, there was some tension between France and Monaco over taxation.
1962: Constitution of Monaco
Under the 1962 Constitution of Monaco, the prince shares his veto power with the unicameral National Council.
1963: Blockade of Monaco by Charles de Gaulle
In 1963, Charles de Gaulle blockaded Monaco, angered by its status as a tax haven.
1963: Special agreement with France regarding customs laws
In 1963, Monaco made a special agreement with France in which French customs laws apply in Monaco and its territorial waters.
1966: Division into Reserved Sectors and Wards
In 1966, a sovereign ordinance divided the principality into reserved sectors and wards for town planning purposes.
1967: Minouche Barelli represented Monaco
In 1967, French-born Minouche Barelli represented Monaco.
1971: Monaco won the Eurovision Song Contest
In 1971, Monaco won the Eurovision Song Contest.
1973: Monte Carlo Rally in the WRC
From 1973, the Monte Carlo Rally was the opening round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).
1979: Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest
In 1979, Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
1980: Monaco Doesn't Participate in the Olympics
In 1980, Monaco did not participate in the Olympic Games.
1981: Archdiocese of Monaco Established
In 1981, the diocese was raised to a non-metropolitan archbishopric as the Archdiocese of Monaco.
1993: Monaco Joins United Nations
In 1993, Monaco became a full voting member of the United Nations.
1993: Headquarters of the International Association of Athletics Federations located in Monaco
Since 1993, the headquarters of the International Association of Athletics Federations, the world governing body of athletics, has been located in Monaco.
1994: The International School of Monaco was founded
In 1994, the International School of Monaco was founded.
1994: OS Monaco in Division 1 Féminine
In the 1994–95 season, the women's team, OS Monaco, played in the Division 1 Féminine, but was quickly relegated.
1997: Jacques Villeneuve Formula One World Champion
1997 Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has raced for the ROKiT Venturi Racing team.
1997: Audiovisual Institute of Monaco founded
In 1997, the Audiovisual Institute of Monaco was founded, aiming to preserve audiovisual archives and showcase how the Principality of Monaco is represented in cinema.
1998: UEFA Super Cup hosted at Stade Louis II
From 1998 to 2012, the Stade Louis II in Monaco played host to the annual UEFA Super Cup.
1998: OECD Report on Tax Havens
In 1998, the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration issued a first report on tax havens.
1998: Council of Europe Issues Reports Naming Tax Havens
In 1998, the Council of Europe began evaluating 22 territories, including Monaco, as tax havens.
1999: Monaco-Monte Carlo station opened
The current Monaco-Monte Carlo train station, built partly underground, was opened in 1999.
2000: Foreign residents of Monaco
As of 2000 nearly two-thirds of the residents of Monaco were foreigners.
2000: First Round of Council of Europe Evaluation
Between 1998 and 2000, the Council of Europe evaluated Monaco on tax haven status.
2000: Report on Money Laundering Policies in Monaco
In 2000, a report by French politicians stated that Monaco had relaxed policies on money laundering and exerted political pressure on the judiciary.
2000: FATF Report on Monaco's Anti-Money Laundering System
In 2000, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) stated that Monaco had a comprehensive anti-money laundering system but faced difficulties in international investigations and lacked resources for its FIU.
2001: Minting of Euro Coins Started
As early as 2001, the minting of new euro coins in Monaco started.
2001: End of Monégasque Franc Coins
In 2001, Monaco issued it's first decimal coins of the Monégasque franc and continued until 2001.
2001: Monaco Refuses Second Round of Evaluation
In 2001, Monaco refused to participate in the second round of evaluations by the Council of Europe.
2002: Minouche Barelli acquired Monegasque citizenship
In 2002, French-born Minouche Barelli acquired Monegasque citizenship, 35 years after representing the principality in 1967.
2002: Introduction of the Euro in Monaco
In 2002, Monaco adopted the euro as its currency due to its customs union with France. Before 2002, Monaco had used the Monegasque franc.
2002: New Treaty Between France and Monaco
In 2002, a new treaty between France and Monaco specified that the principality would remain independent even without heirs to the Grimaldi dynasty.
2002: Constitutional Amendment
Until 2002, the Prime Minister was a French citizen appointed by the prince from among candidates proposed by the Government of France; since a constitutional amendment in 2002, the Prime Minister can be French or Monégasque.
2003: Monaco Refuses Second Round of Evaluation
In 2003, Monaco refused to participate in the second round of evaluations by the Council of Europe.
2003: Georges Marsan becomes Mayor
Since 2003, Georges Marsan has been the mayor of Monaco.
2004: AS Monaco Reaches Champions League Final
In 2004, AS Monaco reached the UEFA Champions League Final but lost to FC Porto.
2004: Monaco Joins Council of Europe
In 2004, Monaco joined the Council of Europe.
2004: Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest
In 2004, Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
2004: OECD Denounces Monaco
In 2004, the OECD denounced Monaco for its lack of co-operation regarding financial information disclosure.
March 2005: Rainier III Relinquishes Duties to Albert
On March 31, 2005, Rainier III relinquished his duties to his son Albert due to illness.
July 2005: Prince Albert II Formally Assumes Crown
On July 12, 2005, Prince Albert II formally assumed the princely crown.
November 2005: Reception at Prince's Palace
On November 18, 2005, a reception drawing heads of state was held at the Prince's Palace for Prince Albert II's accession.
2005: Death of Rainier III
In 2005, Rainier III died and was succeeded by his son, Albert II.
2005: Third and Final Round Planned
In 2005, the 21 other territories planned to implement the third and final round of evaluations.
2005: IMF and FATF Reports on Monaco
In 2005, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) identified Monaco as a tax haven, while the FATF took a positive view of Monaco's measures against money-laundering.
2006: Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest
In 2006, Monaco participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
2006: Design Change of Euro Coins
In 2006, the design of Monaco's euro coins was changed after Prince Rainier's death to feature Prince Albert.
2007: Membership of St Paul's Church
In 2007, St Paul's Church in Monaco had a formal membership of 135 Anglican residents and served a larger number of Anglicans temporarily in the country.
2007: Third and Final Round Planned
In 2007, the 21 other territories planned to implement the third and final round of evaluations.
2008: Population of Monaco
In 2008 the population of Monaco went from 35,000.
2008: Consideration of Expansion Called Off
In 2008, Monaco previously considered an expansion, but had called it off.
2008: Monte Carlo Rally in the WRC
Until 2008, the Monte Carlo Rally was the opening round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).
2009: Monte Carlo Rally in IRC
From 2009, the Monte Carlo Rally served as the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
2009: Monaco on OECD "White List"
In 2009, Monaco was placed on the OECD's "white list" after signing twelve information exchange treaties.
2009: Monaco stage of the Global Champions tour
In 2009, the Monaco stage of the Global Champions tour (International Show-jumping) took place between June 25 and 27.
2009: Tour de France Starts in Monaco
In 2009, the Tour de France started from Monaco with a time trial on the first day, and the second leg starting there on the following day.
2009: End of Ward Expansion Plans
In his 2009 New Year Speech Prince Albert II ended the additional ward expansion plans due to the economic climate at the time.
2010: Restart of Land Reclamation Programme
In mid-2010 Prince Albert II firmly restarted the land reclamation programme.
2011: Monte Carlo Rally in IRC
Until 2011, the Monte Carlo Rally served as the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge.
2012: International Religious Freedom Report on Monaco
According to Monaco's 2012 International Religious Freedom Report, Roman Catholics are Monaco's largest religious group, followed by Protestant Christians.
2012: UEFA Super Cup hosted at Stade Louis II
From 1998 to 2012, the Stade Louis II in Monaco played host to the annual UEFA Super Cup.
2012: Monaco has the world's most expensive real estate market
In 2012, Monaco had the world's most expensive real estate market for the fourth year in a row, at $58,300 per square metre.
2012: Pew Forum Survey on Religion in Monaco
In 2012, The Global Religious Landscape survey by the Pew Forum surveyed religion in Monaco
2012: Monte Carlo Rally Returns to WRC
In 2012, the Monte Carlo Rally returned to the WRC calendar and has been held annually since.
2012: Greek Orthodox Church in Monaco
Monaco's 2012 International Religious Freedom Report states that there is one Greek Orthodox church in Monaco.
2013: Population of Monaco
In 2013 the population of Monaco went to 36,000.
2013: Ward Mergers and Redistricting
In 2013, most of Saint Michel became part of Monte Carlo again, and La Colle and Les Révoires were merged as part of a redistricting process.
2013: Latest Division of Sectors and Wards
In 2013, the latest division created two reserved sectors and seven wards.
2013: Dissolution of Additional Wards
In 2013, three additional wards were dissolved.
July 2014: Inauguration of the Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup
From July 10 to 12, 2014, Monaco inaugurated the Solar1 Monte Carlo Cup, a series of ocean races exclusively for solar-powered boats.
2014: Planned Ward Expansion
In 2014, a additional ward was planned by new land reclamation to be settled.
August 2015: Apology for Role in WWII Deportations
In August 2015, Albert II apologised for Monaco's role during World War II in facilitating the deportation of Jews and resistance fighters.
2015: Immigrant population of Monaco
In 2015 the immigrant population of Monaco was estimated at 60%.
2015: Land Reclamation Expansion Approved
In 2015, Monaco unanimously approved a modest land reclamation expansion intended primarily to accommodate housing and a small park area.
2015: Monaco's Total Population
In 2015, Monaco's total population was 38,400.
2015: Announcement of Anse du Portier Development
In 2015, a new development called Anse du Portier was announced.
2015: Formula E Racing Starts
Starting in 2015, Formula E started racing biennially with the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco on the Monaco ePrix.
2016: World's Most Expensive Apartment in Monaco
In 2016, the world's most expensive apartment, a penthouse at the Odeon Tower valued at $335 million, was located in Monaco, according to Forbes.
2016: AS Monaco FC Wins Ligue 1
In 2016–17, AS Monaco FC won Ligue 1 for the eighth time.
2017: Monaco Parish of Charismatic Episcopal Church Founded
In 2017, the Monaco Parish of the Charismatic Episcopal Church (Parish of St Joseph) was founded.
February 2018: Snowfall in Monaco and Monte Carlo
On 27 February 2018, both Monaco and Monte Carlo experienced snowfall.
2018: Real Estate Prices Reach New High
In 2018, real estate prices in Monaco reached €100,000 ($116,374) per square metre.
April 2019: Monaco's national rugby team ranking
As of April 2019, Monaco's national rugby team was ranked 101st in the World Rugby Rankings.
2019: Millionaires in Monaco
According to 2019 studies, 31% of Monaco's population is reported to be millionaires equalling up to 12,248 individuals.
February 2020: First Case of COVID-19 Announced
On 29 February 2020, Monaco announced its first case of COVID-19.
September 2020: Launch of First Monégasque Satellite
On 3 September 2020, the first Monégasque satellite, OSM-1 CICERO, was launched into space.
2020: Monaco's Real Estate Market Decline
In 2020, the average price of real estate in Monaco went down to $53,378 per square metre, but it remained one of the most expensive places in the world to buy property.
2021: Edoardo Mortara 2021 Vice World Champion
Ten-time Macau winner and 2021 vice World Champion Edoardo Mortara currently race for the ROKiT Venturi Racing team.
2021: Formula E configuration until 2021
Until 2021, Formula E used a shorter configuration of the full Formula 1 circuit, keeping it around Port Hercules.
July 2023: Monaco's Population Estimate
As of 1 July 2023, the United Nations estimated Monaco's population to be 36,297.
2023: Monegasque General Election
Following the 2023 Monegasque general election, all 24 seats are held by the pro-monarchist Monegasque National Union.
2023: Monaco Population and Density
In 2023, Monaco had a population of 38,367, making it the most densely populated sovereign state.
2023: Residential Expansion Nearing Completion
In 2023, a small residential expansion formerly called Le Portier was nearing completion, and additionally a new esplanade was added at Larvatto beach which also had some maintenance.
June 2024: FATF Adds Monaco to "Grey List"
In June 2024, the FATF added Monaco to its "grey list" due to issues of money laundering and terrorist financing.
June 2024: Increased Monitoring to Combat Money Laundering
In June 2024, the Financial Action Task Force placed Monaco under increased monitoring to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
September 2024: Appointment of Didier Guillaume as Prime Minister
On 2 September 2024, Prince Albert II appointed a French citizen, Didier Guillaume, to the office of Prime Minister.
December 2024: Opening of Le Portier District
In December 2024, the new 6-hectare district, Le Portier, built by land reclaimed from the sea, was opened.
2024: Visa-Free Travel to Monaco
By 2024, Monaco allows Visa-free travel from 86 countries around the world.
