In 1153, the Maldives officially adopted Islam, a pivotal moment that significantly impacted the cultural practices, traditions, and governance of the Maldivian islands.

The Kingdom of Soma Vansa was founded in Kalinja, with Sri Balaadeettiya as the first king. The monarchs of Soma Vansa were related to both Soma Vansa and Adeetta Vansa.

Chinese admiral Zheng He visited the Maldives in 1411, establishing diplomatic ties and trade contacts with the island nation. This visit marked an important historical event in the Maldives' relations with China.

Chinese admiral Zheng He visited the Maldives in 1430, further strengthening the diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries. This visit contributed to the cultural exchange and economic ties between China and the Maldives.

In 1558, the Portuguese invaded the Maldives, occupying the islands for 15 years. Their attempts to convert the islanders to Christianity were thwarted by Mohamed Thakurufaanu, who led a successful resistance against the Portuguese forces.

Mohamed Thakurufaanu led a successful rebellion against the Portuguese in 1573, freeing the Maldives from colonial rule and restoring its independence. He is revered as a national hero for this historic feat.

In 1656, the oldest mosque in Malé, known as Medhu Ziyaaraiy, was built. The mosque houses the venerated tomb of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari, a Sunni Muslim visitor credited with the conversion of the Maldives to Islam.

In the late 1650s, the Dutch colonized the Maldives, establishing hegemony over Maldivian affairs. They governed the islands without direct involvement in local matters, following Islamic customs. The Dutch rule was disrupted by a local revolt in 1796.

In 1671, the Dutch, interested in trade through their base in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), surveyed the Maldives islands but did not establish a permanent presence.

In 1752, the Maldives briefly fell under the invasion and governance of the Malabars, adding to the intricate history of external influences on the Maldivian archipelago.

In 1796, the British expelled the Dutch from Ceylon and included the Maldives as a British protected area.

On December 16, 1887, the Sultan of the Maldives signed a contract with the British Governor of Ceylon, turning the Maldives into a British protected state. This agreement relinquished the islands' sovereignty in foreign policy matters while retaining internal self-government.

The Maldives enacted its first constitution in 1932, a significant milestone in the country's political progress.

In 1941, the Italian auxiliary cruiser Ramb I was sunk off Addu Atoll in the Maldives. This event marked a minor impact of the Second World War on the Maldives.

In March 1944, the German submarine U-183 torpedoed the oil tanker British Loyalty in the Addu lagoon, causing damage and oil spillage. The tanker was later repaired and scuttled in 1946.

In 1952, Maldives became a republic through a referendum after the death of Sultan Majeed Didi. Muhammad Amin Didi was elected as the first President, abolishing the 812-year-old sultanate.

The Maldives briefly transitioned into a republic in 1953, indicating a shift towards a new political landscape.

In 1954, Prince Muhammad Fareed Didi was elected as the 84th Sultan of Maldives through a secret vote by the members of the special Majilis.

On 11 December 1957, the Prime Minister of Maldives was forced to resign, and the following day Velaanagey Ibrahim Nasir was elected as the new Prime Minister.

The Maldives gained independence from British protection on July 26, 1965.

The Maldives gained total independence from British colonial rule on 26 July 1965. This marked a significant milestone in the history of the Maldives as it became a sovereign nation.

In 1966, Maldives gained independence from British protection.

The Chinese nationalist government based in Taipei opened an embassy in Malé, the capital of the Maldives, in 1966. This marked the first establishment of a diplomatic office in the Maldives by China.

The Maldives transitioned from a monarchy to a republic in 1968, with Ibrahim Nasir becoming the first President after a national referendum favored establishing a republic.

The Maldives' tourism industry took off in 1972 with the establishment of the first island resort, marking the country's emergence as a popular global tourist destination.

On March 29, 1976, British troops departed from the Maldives, signifying the end of British presence in the country. This day is now celebrated as Maldives Independence Day.

The first accurate census in the Maldives was held in December 1977, revealing 142,832 residents.

In June 1978, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected as the new President of the Maldives, ushering in a period of stability and economic development.

In 1981, the Maldives established the Maldives Monetary Authority and opened the Malé International Airport, marking significant developments in the country's financial and transportation infrastructure.

In 1982, the Maldives reestablished its membership in the British Commonwealth, strengthening diplomatic relations and collaborations with member countries.

In 1983, Maumoon won the presidential election by receiving more than 95% of the vote. Despite allegations of corruption and autocratic rule, he continued to serve as the President of Maldives.

In November 1988, armed mercenaries of the PLOTE Tamil militant group attempted a coup in the Maldives, leading to a failed takeover of the capital city and intervention by the Indian Military.

Local historian Hassan Ahmed Maniku published a provisional list in 1990, identifying as many as 59 islands with Buddhist archaeological sites in the Maldives. These sites include stupas, monasteries, Viharas, and other Buddhist structures.

During the 1993 election, Maumoon garnered more than 95% of the vote, despite facing opposition from Islamist radicalization and local business leaders. His tenure was marred by accusations of autocratic rule and corruption.

In 1998, Gayoom was re-elected as the president of the Maldives for the fifth consecutive term, consolidating his long-standing leadership in the country.

In November 1999, parliamentary elections took place in the Maldives with over 120 independent candidates contesting 40 seats, reflecting a diverse political landscape in the country.

In September 2002, President Gayoom warned about the increased risk faced by low-lying islands in the Maldives due to environmental challenges, urging the international community to take immediate action to prevent a global catastrophe.

In September 2003, unprecedented anti-government riots erupted in Male, triggered by the deaths of four prison inmates, signaling growing discontent and opposition to President Gayoom's regime.

In October 2003, Mr. Gayoom was re-elected for an unprecedented sixth term in a presidential referendum, securing over 90 percent of the vote amidst escalating political tensions.

On August 13, 2004, the capital city of Maldives, Malé, saw protests calling for political changes and the resignation of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The demonstration, which started peacefully, turned violent after security forces used force against unarmed civilians.

To prevent independent reporting of events, the government of Maldives shut off Internet access and some mobile telephony services.

Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the Maldives were devastated by a tsunami on 26 December 2004, causing serious damage to infrastructure and leading to loss of lives.

New civil unrest broke out in Maldives on 12 August 2005, triggered by the arrest of Mohamed Nasheed and the demolition of the Dhunfini tent, leading to calls for democratic reform.

In March 2006, President Gayoom unveiled a 'roadmap' for democratic reforms aimed at enhancing multi-party politics and fostering political inclusivity in the Maldives.

In August 2006, President Gayoom pardoned senior opposition figure Jennifer Latheef, who was serving a 10-year term on terrorism charges, amidst calls for judicial transparency and fairness in the Maldives.

In August 2007, voters in a referendum supported President Gayoom's proposal for a presidential system of government, shaping the country's political landscape and governance structure.

Civil unrest erupted in Malé, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, and Addu Atoll of the Maldives on August 12, leading to events that advocated for democratic reform in the country.

President Nasheed announced the intent to create a sovereign wealth fund using money from tourism to purchase land for Maldivian people in case of rising sea levels due to climate change.

Following the defeat of DRP candidate Maumoon in the election's second round, Mohamed Nasheed of MDP succeeded him as president, with Mohammed Waheed Hassan as Vice President.

The Maldivian Red Crescent was founded on August 16th, 2009.

Peaceful protests in the Maldives escalated into the resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed in February 2012 due to economic mismanagement and calls for his ouster.

President Nasheed resigned following weeks of protests after ordering the arrest of the Chief Justice, leading to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan becoming the new president.

The Commonwealth suspended the Maldives from its democracy and human rights watchdog while investigating the ousting of President Nasheed, supporting his call for elections before the end of 2012.

In September 2013, a general election was held in Maldives where Mohamed Nasheed received a plurality of votes but did not win an outright majority. This election was part of the ongoing political unrest following Nasheed's resignation.

In November 2013, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the half brother of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, won the Maldivian presidential election by a narrow margin, defeating Mohamed Nasheed. This election marked a shift in power in the Maldives.

An assassination attempt on President Yameen occurred on 28 September 2015 as his speedboat was docking at Male, resulting in injuries to three people but the President escaping unhurt.

President Yameen declared a 30-day state of emergency on 4 November 2015 ahead of a planned anti-government rally, leading to political tensions and crackdowns on dissent in the Maldives.

President Yameen revoked the State of Emergency on 10 November 2015, stating that no imminent threats remained in the country, easing tensions after a period of political unrest.

Following a rushed no-confidence vote, Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was removed from his post on 11 November 2015, amidst political turmoil and crackdowns on dissent in the Maldives.

President Nasheed of the Maldives declared the country's goal to become carbon-neutral within a decade by transitioning to renewable energy sources.

On November 17, 2018, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was sworn in as the President of Maldives after winning a landslide victory in the election. This marked the completion of the transfer of power from the previous administration.

President Solih announced the Maldives' return to the Commonwealth of Nations in 2018, strengthening ties with the international community. The decision was made to rejoin the Commonwealth after being a republic from 1982 to 2016.

In April 2019, former Maldivian president Yameen was convicted of money laundering after a probe into corruption and human rights abuses under his administration. This conviction was later overturned.

In June 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives, signaling India's interest in strengthening ties with the country. This visit came after the new Maldivian government led by Solih took office.

Former President Abdulla Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison in November 2019 for money laundering charges. The legal process continued with the High Court upholding the sentence in January 2021, but the Supreme Court later acquitted Yameen in November 2021 due to lack of substantial evidence.

In February 2020, Maldives officially re-joined the Commonwealth of Nations, enhancing diplomatic relations and cooperation with member countries. This move marked a significant step towards international engagement and collaboration.

In May 2021, an improvised explosive device detonated outside Nasheed’s home, leaving him critically injured. After months of medical treatment abroad, he returned to the People’s Majlis in October.

In October 2021, after months of medical treatment abroad, Nasheed returned to the People’s Majlis following the detonation of an explosive device outside his home.

In 2022, Maldives officially adopted the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) as its national currency.

Mohamed Muizzu won the presidential election in September 2023 and was sworn in as the eighth President of the Maldives in October 2023. His presidency marked a shift towards pro-China policies, potentially impacting relations with India.

The Maldives, once a close partner of India, is now leaning more towards China, potentially impacting the China-India relationship.