Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The 1700-year-old Aksum Obelisk is dismantled and removed from Ethiopia by the
Italians. In 1998 Italy agrees to return it, but the Ethiopia-Eritrea war prevents it being
returned until 2003.
1940-50
Ethiopia establishes its first national bank, a new national currency, its first university
and its first (and only) airline - Ethiopian Airlines.
1941-42
British Commonwealth and Ethiopian forces liberate Ethiopia from Italian occupation;
Haile Selassie reclaims his throne and Ethiopia its independence. In the following
years the country modernises rapidly.
1960
In response to growing discontent over the emperor's autocratic rule, the imperial
bodyguard stage a coup d'etat, which is defeated by the army and air force.
1962
Addis Ababa is made the headquarters of the Organisation of African Unity.
1962
Haile Selassie unilaterally annexes Eritrea; separatist Eritreans launch a bitter guerrilla
war.
1972-74
A dreadful famine strikes and around 200,000 people die. This further increases resent-
ment towards the emperor, and students start protesting.
1974
After years of growing discontent and increasing street protests, Haile Selassie is unce-
remoniously deposed as emperor on 12 September. The Derg declare a socialist state
on 20 December.
1975
