Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to visit what is now Venezuela.

Mérida is founded in Venezuela.

Don Diego de Losada founds the city of Santiago de Leon de Caracas, modern-day Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela.

Venezuela achieves home rule: Vicente Emparan, Governor of the Captaincy General is removed by the people of Caracas and a Junta is installed.

Venezuela declares independence from Spain.

An earthquake destroys Caracas, Venezuela.

South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed ''El Libertador'' ("The Liberator").

Simón Bolívar declares the independence of the Republic of Gran Colombia in Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar in Venezuela).

The Battle of Carabobo takes place. It is the decisive battle in the war of independence of Venezuela from Spain.

The Republic of Gran Colombia (a federation covering much of present day Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador) is established, with Simón Bolívar as the founding President and Francisco de Paula Santander as vice president. thumb declares independence.]]

Ecuador and Venezuela are separated from Greater Colombia.

A group of the Venezuelan Armed Forces, led by Mario Vargas, Marcos Pérez Jiménez and Carlos Delgado Chalbaud, staged a coup d'état against then president Isaías Medina Angarita, who is overthrown by the end of the day.

Venezuela joins the United Nations.

A Venezuelan Super-Constellation crashes in the Atlantic Ocean off Asbury Park, New Jersey, killing 74 people.

Overthrow in Venezuela of Marcos Pérez Jiménez

During a visit to Caracas, Venezuela, Vice President Richard Nixon's car is attacked by anti-American demonstrators.

During the fourth day of celebrating its 400th anniversary, the city of Caracas, Venezuela is shaken by an earthquake, leaving approximately 500 dead.

A Colombian Boeing 727 jetliner, Avianca Flight 410, crashes into a mountainside near the Venezuelan border killing 143.

Venezuela is rocked by the Caracazo riots.

A Coup d'état is led by Hugo Chávez Frías, against Venezuelan President Carlos Andrés Pérez.

For the second time in a year, military forces try to overthrow president Carlos Andres Perez in Venezuela.

Hugo Chávez Frías, Venezuelan military officer and politician, is elected President of Venezuela.

Hugo Chávez Frías, Venezuelan military officer and politician, is elected President of Venezuela.

A 50-year-old Douglas DC-3 crashes near Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela killing 24.

An attempted coup d'état in Venezuela against President Hugo Chávez takes place.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returns to office two days after being ousted and arrested by the country's military.

Cuba and Venezuela found the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas.

West Caribbean Airways Flight 708 crashes near Machiques, Venezuela, killing the 160 aboard.

Airport police officer María del Luján Telpuk discovers a suitcase containing the undeclared sum of US$800,000 as it goes through an x-ray machine in Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires, sparking an international scandal involving Venezuela and Argentina known as "Maletinazo".

''¿Por qué no te callas?'' incident between King Juan Carlos of Spain and Venezuela's president Hugo Chávez.