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Timeline of Botswana

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The History of Botswana includes its pre-state history, its colonial period as the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and its modern history as a sovereign state.

Pre-statehood

Early history

  • c. 73000 BCE – Humans settle in present-day Botswana.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1000 – Ancestors of the Kalanga people and the Sotho-Tswana peoples migrate to present-day Botswana.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1400 – Ancestors of the Kgalagadi people and Yeyi people migrate to present-day Botswana.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1450 – The Kingdom of Butua is established by the Chibundule dynasty of the Kalanga people.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1500 – Ancestors of the Tswana people, Subia people, Birwa people, and Pedi people migrate to present-day Botswana.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1650 – Ancestors of the Kwena people migrate to present-day Botswana.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1680 – Nichasike overthrows the Chinbundule dynasty and seizes power in the Kingdom of Butua.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1730 – The Ngwaketse people split from the Kwena people.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1750 – The Ngwato people split from the Kwena people.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1795 – The Tawana people split from the Ngwato people.[1]: xxiii 

19th century

  • 1824
  • 1825 – Sebetwane of the Kololo people leads attacks against the Kwena and Ngwaketse peoples.[1]: xxiii 
  • 1826
    • 28 August – Sebego I of the Ngwaketse people defeats the Kololo people at Dithubaruba.[1]: xxiii 
  • c. 1828 – The Kingdom of Butua defeats the Ngwato people at Matopos.[1]: xxiii 
  • 1835 – The Kololo people defeat the Tawana people.[1]: xxiv 
  • 1841
    • July – David Livingstone of the London Missionary Society begins missionary work among the Tswana people.[1]: xxiv 
  • 1842 – The Northern Ndebele people of present-day Zimbabwe attack the Kwena people, Kgafela Kgatla, and Ngwato people. Macheng, heir to the Ngwato chiefdom, is taken prisoner.[1]: xxiv 
  • 1844
    • The Ngwato people use firearms to repel the Northern Ndebele people at Shoshong.[1]: xxiv 
    • Two rival groups emerge among the Ngwaketse people after the death of Sebego I.[1]: xxiv 
  • 1848
    • 1 October – David Livingstone baptises Sechele I of the Kwena people, who becomes head of the local church.[1]: xxiv 
  • 1852
  • 1853
    • January – Transvaal and the Kwena people come to a peace agreement. The Kwena people carry out guerrilla warfare for another three years.[1]: xxv 
    • June – The Ngwaketse people rejoin under the joint leadership of Gaseitsiwe and Senthufe.[1]: xxv 
  • 1857
    • Gaseitsiwe overthrows Senthufe and takes control of the Ngwaketse people.[1]: xxv 
    • 16 July – Lutheran missionaries begin evangelising to the Kwena people.[1]: xxv 
    • November – Robert Moffat negotiates the release of Macheng. Sechele I makes him kgosi of the Ngwato people.[1]: xxv 
  • 1859
    • April – Sechele I has Macheng overthrown and makes Sekgoma I the kgosi of the Ngwato people.[1]: xxv 
  • 1863
    • March – The Ngwato people repel another attack by the Northern Ndebele people at Shoshong.[1]: xxv 
  • 1866
    • May – Macheng is reinstated as kgosi of the Ngwato people replacing Sekgoma I.[1]: xxv 
  • 1867
  • 1870
    • April – Transvaal military leader Harklaas Malan captures Kgamanyane, kgosi of the Kgafela Kgatla, and publicly whips him.[1]: xxvi 
    • November – The Kgatla people join the Kwena people under the rule of Sechele I.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1871
    • May – Mochudi is founded when the Kgatla people migrate to the Kingdom of Kwena.[2]: 35 [1]: xxvi 
  • 1872
    • 29 August – Macheng is banished from Shoshong in an effort organised by Khama III.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1873
    • January – Sekgoma I returns as kgosi of the Ngwato people.[1]: xxvi 
    • January – A schism occurs between brothers Khama III, a Christian, and Kgamane, who joined and renounced Christianity. Khama III flees to Serowe.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1875
    • Khama III overthrows Sekgoma I and becomes kgosi of the Ngwato people.[1]: xxvi 
    • 11 August – The Kgafela people win the first battle of the Kwena–Kgafela War against the Kwena people in Mochudi.[1]: xxvi 
    • November – The Kwena people win a battle against the Kgatla people in Thamaga.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1876
    • July – The Kwena people win a battle against the Kgatla people in Molepolole.[1]: xxvi 
    • August – In response to the Dorsland Trek, Khama III requests British protection of the region.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1877 – The Dorsland Trek migrates through present-day Botswana.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1881
    • November – Ikaneng leads the Lete people in repelling an invasion.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1883 – The Kwena–Kgafela War ends. The Rolong, Ngwaketse, Kwena, and Kgatla peoples form a defense pact.[1]: xxvi 
  • 1884 – The Tawana people repel an invasion of Khutiyabasadi by the Northern Ndebele people.[1]: xxvi 
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Bechuanaland Protectorate (1885–1966)

1885–1889

1890–1899

  • 1890
    • The United Kingdom places the Bechuanaland Protectorate under the Foreign Jurisdictions Act.[1]: xxvii 
    • The United Kingdom extends the Bechuanaland Protectorate to the Chobe River.[3]
  • 1891
    • 9 May – Sekgoma Letsholathebe becomes regent of the Tswana people in place of Khama III.[1]: xxvii 
  • 1892
    • January – The first of the Ngwato people enrol at Lovedale College.[1]: xxvii 
    • September – Sechele I dies. He is succeeded as kgosi of the Kwena people by Sebele I.[1]: xxvii 
    • September – Kgosi Mosinyi II of the Kaa people dies, causing a succession crisis.[1]: xxvii 
  • 1893
    • October – The British South Africa Company, British police, and the Ngwato people attack and conquer the Northern Ndebele people.[1]: xxvii 
  • 1894
    • January – Sekgoma Letsholathebe leads an attack on the Caprivi Strip to steal slaves and cattle.[1]: xxvii 
    • October – The United Kingdom reorganises territorial allotment in the Bechuanaland Protectorate to favour Khama III.[1]: xxvii 
  • 1895 – The United Kingdom splits the Bechuanaland Protectorate, merging the southern British Bechuanaland with Cape Colony, which would become present-day South Africa.[2]: 17  Tswana chiefs and British missionaries form a coalition to speak against further absorption of Tswana tribes into Cape colony.[4]: 23 
  • 1896 – The 1890s African rinderpest epizootic reaches the Bechuanaland Protectorate, killing 90% of the protectorate's cattle and causing a years-long famine.[1]: xxviii 
  • 1897
  • 1898 – Samuel Moroka leads his followers to settle in Tati.[1]: xxviii 
  • 1899
    • The borders of Batswana reserves are defined.[1]: xxviii 
    • April – The United Kingdom imposes a hut tax on the protectorate.[1]: xxviii 
    • 25 November – The Kgafela Kgatla win a battle against Boers at Derdepoort at the beginning of the Second Boer War.[1]: xxviii 

1900–1909

  • 1901
    • 27 April – Koranta ea Becoana is founded as the first Batswana-owned newspaper.[1]: xxviii 
  • 1903
  • 1905
    • 29 March – Tiger Kloof Native Institution opens as a secondary school.[1]: xxviii 
  • 1906
    • 12 June – The protectorate's resident commissioner overthrows and imprisons regent Tawana kgosi Sekgoma Letsholathebe.[1]: xxviii 
  • 1909
    • Several Tswana tribes are made part of the newly formed Union of South Africa.[4]: 23  The United Kingdom confirms that the Bechuanaland Protectorate will not be merged into the union.[2]: 18 
    • Rudolf Pöch produces the first film recording of present-day Botswana.[1]: xxix 

1910–1919

  • 1910
  • 1911
    • 23 January – Kwena kgosi Sebele I dies, causing a succession crisis.[1]: xxix 
    • April – Sekgoma Letsholathebe is released from prison.[1]: xxix 
  • 1914 – The protectorate joins World War I with the United Kingdom, sending soldiers to France, East Africa, and Namibia.[1]: xxix 
  • 1915
    • Maun is founded as the capital of the Batawana tribe.[2]: 39 
    • Bobonong is founded as the capital of the Birwa tribe.[1]: xxix 
    • Thousands of the Rolong people migrate from South Africa to Tati.[1]: xxix 
  • 1916
    • May – The Kwena Tribal Council is formed to govern the Kwena people.[1]: xxix 
    • 18 June – Moeapitso kills his brother Seepapitso II.[1]: xxix 
    • November – The resident commissioner disbands the Kwena Tribal Council.[1]: xxix 
  • 1918
    • The Spanish flu reaches the Bechuanaland Protectorate.[1]: xxix 
    • 12 February – Kwena kgosi Sechele II dies. He is succeeded by Sebele II.[1]: xxix 
  • 1919
    • July – The Native Advisory Council is established.[1]: xxix 
  • 1920
    • 2 March – The European Advisory Council is established.[1]: xxix 
    • 24 December – The Birwa people are expelled from the Tuli Block and sent to Bobonong.[1]: xxix 

1920–1929

  • 1923
    • 21 February – Mangwato kgosi Khama III dies.[1]: xxx 
  • 1926
    • 19 January – Tshekedi Khama becomes regent kgosi of the Mangwato tribe.[1]: xxx 
  • 1928
    • April – Bathoen II becomes kgosi of the Ngwaketse tribe.[1]: xxx 
  • 1929
    • November – Molefi becomes kgosi of the Kgafela Kgatla, replacing regent Isang Pilane.[1]: xxx 

1930–1939

  • 1930 – Charles Rey is appointed resident commissioner of the protectorate.[1]: xxx 
  • 1931
    • 7 May – Charles Rey overthrows Kwena kgosi Sebele II and banishes him to Ghanzi.[1]: xxx 
  • 1933
    • 8 April – Kgosi Gobuamang surrenders to the British.[1]: xxx 
    • August – Charles Rey suspends Ngwato regent Tshekedi Khama after he has a European flogged.[1]: xxx 
  • 1936
    • 30 October – Charles Rey suspends Kgafela Kgatla kgosi Molefi and reinstates regent Isang Pilane.[1]: xxx 
  • 1937 – Charles Rey ends his tenure as resident commissioner. He is replaced by Charles Arden-Clarke.[1]: xxx 
  • 1939 – The protectorate enters World War II, with 10,000 Batswana serving in the African Auxiliary Pioneer Corps.[1]: xxxi 

1940–1949

  • 1941 – Kgafela Kgatla regent Isang Pilane dies.[1]: xxxi 
  • 1942 – Kgafela Kgatla regent Mmusi joins the African Auxiliary Pioneer Corps, and the Zion Christian Church establishes a ruling council over Kgafela Kgatla.[1]: xxxi 
  • 1944 – Naledi Ya Batswana begins publication through government subsidies.[1]: xxxi 
  • 1945
    • Moremi III is suspended as kgosi of the Tawana people.[1]: xxxi 
    • Molefi is restored as kgosi of Kgafela Kgatla.[1]: xxxi 
  • 1946
    • Tawana kgosi Moremi III dies.[1]: xxxi 
  • 1947
    • February – Elizabeth Pulane Moremi is appointed as the Tawana regent.[1]: xxxi 
    • September – The Ngwato people attack the village led by John Nswazwi, forcing him to flee the protectorate.[1]: xxxi 
  • 1948 – Seretse Khama, heir to the Mangwato tribe, controversially marries Ruth Williams, a white British woman.[2]: 18  The United Kingdom banishes Khama from the Bechuanaland Protectorate.[4]: 26 
  • 1949
    • 25 June – The Mangwato tribe endorses the marriage of Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams during a kgotla. Regent Tshekedi Khama, who did not wish to endorse the marriage, leaves the tribe.[1]: xxxi [4]: 26 
    • 6 December – The Bechuanaland Protectorate takes direct control over the Ngwato tribe rather than allowing Sertse Khama to rule.[1]: xxxi 

1950–1959

  • 1951
  • 1952
    • The Bamangwato National Congress forms to represent Seretse Khama.[1]: xxxii  Riots take place in protest of his exile.[3]
    • 11 September – A 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurs in Botswana.[5]
    • 11 October – A 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurs in Botswana.[5]
  • 1953
    • 13 May – Rasebolai Kgamane is placed in charge of the Ngwato Reserve.[1]: xxxii 
  • 1956
    • Seretse Khama is permitted to return to Botswana after renouncing his claim to the Ngwato tribe.[2]: 19  Seretse Khama and Tshekedi Khama both renounce their claims in favour of creating the Ngwato Tribal Council that limits the kgosi. Similar councils were adopted by other tribes soon afterward.[4]: 26 
    • 9 October – Rasebolai Kgamane becomes the Ngwato kgosi.[1]: xxxii 
  • 1957
    • September – Elections are held to create democratic local councils.[1]: xxxii 
  • 1958
    • The first tarred road in Botswana is paved in Lobatse.[2]: 40 
    • British advisory councils request the creation of a legislature for the protectorate.[4]: 26 
  • 1959
    • Copper mines are created in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.[3]
    • April – The Bechuanaland Protectorate Federal Party is established by Leetile Disang Raditladi.[1]: xxxii 
    • 2 June – Bamangwato Concessions Limited is founded by Tshekedi Khama and Rhodesian Selection Trust.[1]: xxxii 
    • June – Tshekedi Khama dies.[1]: xxxii 

1960–1966

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Republic of Botswana (1966–present)

1966–1969

Main article: 1960s in Botswana
  • 1966
  • 1967
    • July – Diamonds are discovered in Orapa.[1]: xxxiii 
    • 29 September – The Mineral Rights in Tribal Territories Act and the Mines and Minerals Act grand the government control over mining.
  • 1968
    • The Tribal Land Act is passed, moving power over land allocation from the kgosis to land boards.[1]: xxxiii 
  • 1969
    • Bathoen II leaves the Botswana Democratic Party and resigns his status as kgosi of the Ngwaketse to join the Botswana National Front.[1]: xxxiii 
    • 23 June – The Debswana mining company is established.[1]: xxxiii 
    • 18 October – The first national election of Botswana is held. The Botswana Democratic Party is challenged by the Botswana National Front but maintains its majority.[1]: xxxiii [4]: 32–33 
    • December – Selebi-Phikwe is founded.[1]: xxxiv 

1970–1979

Main article: 1970s in Botswana
  • 1970
    • The Botswana Development Corporation is established.[4]: 95 
    • January – The power to allocate tribal land is transferred from the kgosis to independent land boards under the Tribal Land Act.[1]: xxxiv 
  • 1971
  • 1974
  • 1975
    • The Selebi-Phikwe mine opens.[2]: 22 
    • The Tribal Grazing Lands Policy is established.[4]: 67 
  • 1976
  • 1977
    • January – The United Nations passes a resolution demanding that Rhodesian forces end their hostilities along the Botswana–Rhodesia border.[3]
    • 15 April – The Botswana Defence Force is established.[1]: xxxv 
  • 1979
    • 13 April – The Gaborone–Francistown Highway is completed.[1]: xxxv 
    • 20 October – The 1979 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.[1]: xxxv 

1980–1989

Main article: 1980s in Botswana
  • 1980
  • 1981 – A drought in Southern Africa begins, destroying approximately 75% of crops in Botswana.[2]: 24  It will continue until 1987.[4]: 68 
  • 1982
    • The Financial Assistance Policy is implemented to provide grants for businesses.[4]: 98 
    • February – The Jwaneng diamond mine is established.[1]: xxxv 
    • June – The Botswana Progressive Union is founded.[1]: xxxv 
    • September – The University of Botswana is founded.[1]: xxxv 
  • 1983
  • 1984
  • 1985
    • 1985 – HIV is first identified in Botswana, beginning the nation's HIV epidemic.[1]: xxxvi 
    • 14 June – South African soldiers invade Botswana and attack the headquarters of a South African anti-apartheid group in Gabarone.[2]: 20  12 people are killed, and the action is condemned in a resolution by the United Nations.[3]
  • 1986
    • 17 April – Botswana's first women's rights group, Emang Basadi, is established.[1]: xxxvi 
  • 1987
    • A referendum is held to form a Supervisor of Elections. It passes with 78.1% of the vote.[citation needed]
    • The university is closed for several months in response to student protests against police misconduct.[6]: 79 
    • May – Morupule Electric Power Station is established.[1]: xxxvi 
    • 1 October – Botswana Railways is established.[1]: xxxvi 
    • November – The constitution is amended so that only citizens of Botswana can serve as president.[1]: xxxvi 
  • 1989

1990–1999

Main article: 1990s in Botswana

2000–2009

  • 2000
  • 2001
  • 2002
    • February – Botswana begins forcibly evicting the San people from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.[1]: xxxix 
    • March – A court case challenging the removal of the San people is dismissed.[3]
    • July – Botswana adopts a value-added tax.[1]: xl 
    • October – Botswana and South Africa jointly establish a reservation for the Khomani San and Mier peoples.[2]: 35 
  • 2003
  • 2004
    • August – A strike among diamond miners ends with approximately one thousand workers losing their jobs when a court determines that the strike was illegal.[3]
    • 30 October – The 2004 Botswana general election is held. The Botswana Democratic Party maintains its majority.[1]: xli 
  • 2005
    • September – Women are permitted to enlist in the Botswana Defence Force.[1]: xli 
    • October – The government of Botswana expels all but 250 of the San people from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.[2]: 32 
    • The Three Dikgosi Monument is inaugurated.[citation needed]
  • 2006
    • December – The courts find that the forced displacement of the San people is unconstitutional.[2]: 33 
  • 2007 – Uranium deposits are discovered in Botswana.[2]: 22 
  • 2008
    • The Public Service Act of 2008 allows the creation of the labour union BOFEPUSU.[1]: 3 
    • March – The Diamond Trading Company Botswana is established.[3]
    • April – Ian Khama becomes President of Botswana.[2]: 20 
  • 2009

2010–2019

2020–present

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References

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