Slovakia, officially the Slovak Republic, is a landlocked Central European nation spanning approximately 49,000 square kilometers. With a population over 5.4 million, Slovakia is bordered by Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Its predominantly mountainous terrain features Bratislava as its capital and largest city, followed by Košice.
October 1918: Czechoslovak Declaration of Independence
Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, marking the beginning of a new sovereign state.
1918: Collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
The Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved, ending centuries of Hungarian rule over the territory that would become Slovakia.
1919: Establishment of Comenius University
Comenius University, Slovakia's largest university, was founded in 1919. While not the first university in Slovakia's history, it is the oldest one still in operation.
1919: Formation of Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia officially came into being, encompassing territories with diverse ethnic groups, including Germans, Slovaks, Hungarians, and Ruthenians.
1925: Locarno Treaties
The Locarno Treaties were signed, aiming to secure peace in Europe but leaving the security of East European nations vulnerable.
1935: Release of Jánošík Film
"Jánošík," a film depicting the life of Slovakia's legendary hero Juraj Jánošík, was released in 1935. The film, directed by Martin Frič, became one of the most popular portrayals of the Slovakian Robin Hood.
1937: Czechoslovak Government-in-Exile
The Czechoslovak government-in-exile was established in London, aiming to reverse the Munich Agreement and restore Czechoslovakia's pre-1938 borders.
September 1938: Munich Agreement
The Munich Agreement allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland, a border region of Czechoslovakia with a majority ethnic German population.
November 1938: First Vienna Award
Hungary regained parts of southern and eastern Slovakia through the First Vienna Award, furthering the territorial dismemberment of Czechoslovakia.
1938: Carpathian German Population in Slovakia
The Carpathian German population in Slovakia numbered around 130,000 before World War II.
March 1939: Slovakia's Secession and First Slovak Republic
Slovakia seceded from Czecho-Slovakia under pressure from Nazi Germany, forming the first Slovak state in history, albeit heavily influenced by Germany.
November 1940: Slovakia Joins the Axis Powers
The First Slovak Republic officially joined the Axis powers by signing the Tripartite Pact.
1944: Slovak National Uprising
An anti-Nazi resistance movement in Slovakia launched a significant armed uprising against German occupation, leading to a brutal German response and guerilla warfare.
April 1945: Liberation of Slovakia
Soviet and Romanian forces liberated Slovakia from Nazi occupation by the end of April 1945.
1947: Execution of Jozef Tiso and Population Transfers
Jozef Tiso, leader of the First Slovak Republic, was executed for collaboration with Nazi Germany. Significant population transfers, initiated by the Allies, led to the expulsion of Hungarians and Germans from Slovakia.
1948: Communist Coup in Czechoslovakia
A Soviet-backed coup d'état established a communist government in Czechoslovakia, aligning the country with the Eastern Bloc.
1948: Czechoslovakia Under Soviet Influence
Following the Yalta Conference, Czechoslovakia came under the influence of the Soviet Union after a coup. Eight thousand two hundred and forty people were sent to forced labor camps in the period of 1948-1953.
1948: Founding of the Slovak National Gallery
The Slovak National Gallery, the largest network of galleries in Slovakia, was founded in 1948.
1953: Slovak Academy of Sciences Founded
The Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia's premier scientific and research institution, was founded.
1953: End of Forced Labor Camps Period
This year marked the end of the period when 8,240 people were sent to forced labor camps in Czechoslovakia under Soviet influence.
1961: Establishment of the Bratislava City Gallery
The Bratislava City Gallery, the second largest Slovak gallery, was founded in 1961. It houses approximately 35,000 pieces of Slovak and international art.
August 1968: Warsaw Pact Invasion of Czechoslovakia
The Soviet Union and other members of the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia to suppress the Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization.
1968: Warsaw Pact Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Following the Prague Spring, a period of liberalization, Czechoslovakia was invaded by Warsaw Pact forces, ending the reforms. The invasion resulted in the death of 137 Czechoslovak civilians and serious injuries to 500.
1969: Czechoslovakia Becomes a Federation
Czechoslovakia became a federation, comprising the Czech Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist Republic, under the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. The country effectively became a puppet state of the Soviet Union, although it remained formally independent to a certain degree.
1989: Velvet Revolution
A peaceful revolution led to the end of communist rule in Czechoslovakia.
1989: Velvet Revolution
The end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia occurred during the peaceful Velvet Revolution. The country was subsequently dissolved into two successor states, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.
1990: US Census Records 1.8 Million People with Slovak Ancestry
The US census recorded 1.8 million individuals who self-identified as having Slovak ancestry.
July 1992: Slovakia Declares Sovereignty
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar, Slovakia declared its sovereignty, asserting the precedence of its laws over those of the federal government. This declaration marked a significant step towards Slovakia's separation from Czechoslovakia.
September 1992: Constitution of Slovakia Ratified
The Constitution of the Slovak Republic, establishing the country's legal framework and fundamental principles, was ratified.
December 1992: Czechoslovakia Dissolved
Following negotiations between Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar and Czech Prime Minister Václav Klaus, the federal parliament voted for the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. This officially ended the country's existence as a single entity.
January 1993: Velvet Divorce
Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved, resulting in the creation of two independent states: Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
January 1993: Constitution of Slovakia Takes Effect
The Constitution of the Slovak Republic came into effect, marking a foundational step in the establishment of Slovakia's independent governance and legal system.
January 1993: Velvet Divorce
The Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic officially separated, an event often referred to as the 'Velvet Divorce'. Despite the separation, Slovakia and the Czech Republic maintained a close partnership. Slovakia also joined the Visegrád Group, collaborating with Hungary and Poland.
February 1993: Slovakia Joins the International Ice Hockey Federation
Slovakia became a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) in February 1993.
May 1993: Slovakia Signs the Rio Convention
Slovakia demonstrated its commitment to environmental protection by signing the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity, aiming to conserve and sustainably use its biodiversity.
1993: Vlkolínec Village Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The well-preserved village of Vlkolínec in Slovakia, showcasing traditional wooden folk architecture, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
1993: Formation of the Slovak National Football Team
The Slovak national football team was formed following Slovakia's independence in 1993.
1993: Slovakia Joins the United Nations
Slovakia became a member of the United Nations (UN), signifying its recognition as an independent state within the international community and its commitment to participating in global affairs.
August 1994: Slovakia Ratifies the Rio Convention
Slovakia officially became a party to the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity, solidifying its commitment to international biodiversity conservation efforts.
1997: MFK Košice qualifies for UEFA Champions League
MFK Košice became one of three Slovakian teams to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
September 1998: Constitutional Amendment for Direct Presidential Election
The Constitution of Slovakia was amended to allow for the direct election of the president, giving citizens a greater voice in choosing their head of state.
November 1998: Slovakia Submits Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
Slovakia presented its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to the Rio Convention, outlining its commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources.
2000: Bratislava Airport Serves 279,028 Passengers
Bratislava Airport, Slovakia's main international airport, served 279,028 passengers.
2000: Beginning of the Bronze Age in Slovakia
The Bronze Age commenced in the region that is now modern-day Slovakia, characterized by significant advancements in copper production.
February 2001: Constitutional Amendment for EU Admission
Slovakia's Constitution was amended to align with the requirements for European Union (EU) membership, demonstrating the country's commitment to fulfilling the legal and political criteria for accession.
March 2004: Slovakia Joins NATO
Slovakia officially became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), solidifying its commitment to international security and cooperation.
May 2004: Slovakia Joins the European Union
Slovakia became a member of the European Union (EU), embarking on a path of greater economic and political integration with other European nations.
2004: Church Attendance in Slovakia
In 2004, it was reported that approximately one-third of church members in Slovakia regularly attended church services.
2004: Slovakia Joins EU and NATO
Slovakia joined both the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), marking a significant step in its integration with Western alliances and its commitment to international cooperation.
October 2005: Slovakia Elected to UN Security Council
Slovakia was elected to serve a two-year term on the United Nations (UN) Security Council, demonstrating its growing international influence and commitment to global security.
2005: FC Artmedia Bratislava qualifies for UEFA Champions League
FC Artmedia Bratislava qualified for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage. They finished third and qualified for the knockout stage, the only Slovak club to win a match at the group stage.
2006: Slovakia Begins UN Security Council Term
Slovakia commenced its two-year term on the United Nations Security Council, taking on the responsibility of addressing international peace and security issues.
November 2007: A6 Motorway Connecting Slovakia to Austria Opens
The A6 motorway, connecting Slovakia directly to the Austrian motorway system, was opened.
December 2007: Slovakia Joins the Schengen Area
Slovakia's entry into the Schengen Area marked a significant milestone in its integration with Europe. This allowed for visa-free travel for its citizens within the Schengen zone.
2007: Slovakia Ranked High in Foreign Language Proficiency
A 2007 study found Slovakia to be among the top EU countries regarding knowledge of foreign languages. 68% of the population between 25 to 64 years old could speak two or more foreign languages, the second highest in the EU.
2007: Slovakia Becomes World's Largest Car Producer Per Capita
Slovakia became the world's largest producer of cars per capita.
2007: Slovakia Concludes UN Security Council Term
Slovakia completed its designated two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
January 2009: Slovakia Adopts the Euro
Slovakia adopted the euro (€) as its official currency, replacing the Slovak koruna. The conversion rate was set at 30.1260 korunas to one euro.
2009: Slovakia Joins the Eurozone
Slovakia adopted the euro (€) as its national currency, joining the Eurozone and strengthening its economic ties with other European nations using the common currency.
2010: Slovakia Qualifies for FIFA World Cup
The Slovak national football team qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2010. They reached the round of 16, where they lost to the Netherlands but achieved a notable victory over Italy with a score of 3-2.
2010: Slovakia Places Fourth in the Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Tournament
The Slovak national hockey team secured fourth place at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.
2010: Estimated Muslim Population in Slovakia
In 2010, there were approximately 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia, making up less than 0.1% of the country's population.
2010: Slovakia Granted Observer Status in European Space Agency
Slovakia was granted observer status in the European Space Agency and signed the General Agreement on Cooperation.
2010: MŠK Žilina qualifies for UEFA Champions League
MŠK Žilina became the third Slovakian team to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
2011: Slovakia Hosts the IIHF World Championship
Slovakia hosted the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Bratislava and Košice, where Finland emerged as the gold medalist.
2012: Eurobarometer Survey on Foreign Language Proficiency
A 2012 Eurobarometer survey revealed that 26% of the Slovakian population spoke English at a conversational level. This was followed by German at 22% and Russian at 17%.
2012: Slovakia's Energy Consumption Exceeds Production
Slovakia produced 28,393 GWh of electricity but consumed 28,786 GWh, leading to a reliance on energy imports, primarily from the Czech Republic.
2012: Slovakia Wins Silver at the IIHF World Championship
The Slovak national hockey team achieved a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki, Finland.
December 2013: Slovakia's Diplomatic Missions
Slovakia maintained 90 diplomatic missions abroad, including embassies, missions to multilateral organizations, consulates-general, and other representative offices, reflecting its active engagement in international relations.
2015: Slovakia Signs European Cooperating State Agreement
Slovakia signed the European Cooperating State Agreement, committing to the PECS (Plan for the European Cooperating States) program in preparation for full ESA membership.
2016: Proposed Legislation to Increase Threshold for State-Recognized Religions
In 2016, Slovakia's parliament passed a bill that aimed to make it more difficult for Islam and other religious organizations to gain state recognition. The bill proposed to double the required number of followers from 25,000 to 50,000. However, the bill was vetoed by the then-president, Andrej Kiska.
2017: Slovakia Welcomes Over 5.4 Million Tourists
Slovakia attracted over 5.4 million tourists, with Bratislava and the High Tatras being the most popular destinations.
2018: Bratislava Airport Passenger Traffic Grows Significantly
Bratislava Airport experienced significant growth in passenger traffic, serving 2,292,712 passengers.
2018: Slovakia Produces Over 1 Million Cars
Slovakia manufactured a total of 1,090,000 cars, with 275,000 people employed in the automotive industry.
2018: Slovakia's Median Age Reaches 41 Years
The median age of the Slovak population reached 41 years.
2019: Slovakia's Car Production Peak
Slovakia manufactured a record 1.1 million cars, establishing itself as the world's largest per-capita car producer.
2019: Slovakia Hosts the IIHF World Championship
Slovakia once again hosted the IIHF World Championship in 2019 in Bratislava and Košice. Finland once again won the gold medal.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index Assessment
Slovakia's forests were evaluated using the Forest Landscape Integrity Index. The country received a mean score of 4.34 out of 10, ranking 129th globally out of 172 countries.
2019: Zuzana Čaputová Becomes Slovakia's First Female President
Zuzana Čaputová was elected as Slovakia's first female president. Her victory signified a historic moment for women in Slovak politics and for the country as a whole.
2020: Slovakia Expected to Become Full Member of ESA
Slovakia was expected to become a full member of the European Space Agency after signing the ESA Convention.
2020: Nuclear Energy Dominates Slovakia's Electricity Production
Nuclear energy constituted 54% of Slovakia's total electricity production, followed by hydro power (17%), natural gas (13%), coal (7%), biofuel (5%), and solar energy (2%).
2020: Large Part of D4 Motorway Opens
A significant portion of the D4 motorway, an outer bypass designed to alleviate pressure on Bratislava's highway system, opened.
2021: Religious Demographics in Slovakia
In 2021, 55.8% of the Slovakian population identified as Roman Catholic, 5.3% as Lutheran, 1.6% as Calvinist, 4% as Greek Catholic, 0.9% as Orthodox, 23.8% as atheist or non-religious, and 6.5% did not answer.
2021: Census Reveals Slovakia's Ethnic Makeup
The census in Slovakia indicated that 83.82% of the population were Slovaks, with Hungarians (7.75%) being the largest minority, followed by Roma (1.23%), Czechs (0.53%), Rusyns (0.44%), and others (6.1%).
2022: Slovakia Wins Bronze at the Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Tournament
The Slovak national hockey team won a bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
January 2023: Mochovce-3 Nuclear Reactor Comes Online
The Mochovce-3 nuclear reactor at the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant in Slovakia came online.
September 2023: Slovakia's Parliamentary Elections Held
Slovakia held its latest parliamentary elections, allowing citizens to exercise their democratic right to elect their representatives in the National Council.
2023: Slovakia Ranks 45th in Global Innovation Index
Slovakia achieved a ranking of 45th in the Global Innovation Index.
2023: Slovak Passport Ranked 8th in Travel Freedom
The Henley Passport Index, a global ranking of passport strength based on visa-free access, placed the Slovak passport at the 8th rank. This ranking reflects the high degree of travel freedom enjoyed by Slovak citizens.
2023: Construction Begins on New Volvo Plant
Volvo began construction on a new plant to produce electric cars in Slovakia.
April 2024: Slovakia's Presidential Election Concluded
Slovakia completed its presidential election process with the second round of voting. This democratic process determined the country's head of state for the following term.
2026: Series Production Begins at Volvo Plant
Series production of electric cars is scheduled to begin at the new Volvo plant in Slovakia.