874 Ingólfur Arnarson names Reykjavik 'smoky bay'
Early 900 His son Porsteinn Ingólfsson sets up Iceland's first district assembly
999 Iceland is decreed a Christian nation
1226 An Augustinian monastery is set up on Videy Island
1281 A new code of law, the Jónsbók, is introduced by the conquering Norwegian king Hákon Hákonarson
1550 Iceland falls into Danish hands
1752 Skúli Magnuússon establishes local industries such as tanning and weaving and paves Reykjavik's first street, Adalstraeti
1786 Reykjavik is granted market town status by the Royal Danish Government
1911 The University of Iceland is established in Reykjavik
17 June 1944 Iceland becomes independent
1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit in Reykjavik
1991 Eruption of Mount Helka
2000 Reykjavik becomes one of nine European Cities of Culture