Important Dates

6th century		Foundation of the Tibetan empire by Namri Songtsen
620		Songtsen Gampo rules over Tibet
627		First buddhist monks visit Tibet
641		Songtsen Gampo marries the Chinese prinses Wencheng and Nepalese prinses Bhrikuti
650		Tibetan mission to India realises the foundation of the Tibetan script
650		Mangson Mangtsen rules over Tibet
670		First Tibetan colony in East Turcustan
755		King Trisong Detsen builds first Buddhist monastery in Tibet.
1042		Atisha comes to Tibet to teach about Buddhism.
1073		The Sakyapa order of Buddhism is founded at Sakya Monastery
. 1247		Goan Khan begins the patron-priest relationship in Tibet.
1270		Kublai Khan is converted to Buddhism
1254		The Sakyapa sect is beaten by the Kagyupa sect and it gains control.
1409		The Ganden Monastery is founded.
1416		The Gelukpa Monastery is founded.
1419		The Sera Monastery is founded.
1435		Tsang Princes take control of the ruling Kagyupa monks.
1445		The official seat of the Panchen Lama is founded, Tashilhunpo Monastery.
1578		The title of Dalai Lama is given to Sonam Gyatso, the first person to receive this honor.
1642		Gushri Khan conquers Tsang province in Tibet.
1706		Tibet is invaded by Lhabzang Khan.
1720		Lhasa is taken over by the Manchus.
1788		Tibet is forbidden to outsiders due to the attack from the Gurkha warriors.
1841-42		Tibet is at war with the Jammu.
1854-55		Tibet and Nepal are at war.
1903		Lhasa is invaded by Great Britain.
1906		Great Britain and Tibet begin trade with each other.
1910		Tibet is invaded by Manchus again and the Dalai Lama escapes to India.
1913		The Dalai Lama returns to Tibet.
1913-14		Great Britain holds the Simla Conference and recognizes Tibet as an independent country.
1947		Independence is granted to India; Britain pulls advisors out of Tibet.
1950		Tibet is attacked by China under the rule of Mao Zedong.
1951		Tibet refuses China's seventeen point plan, which basically said Tibet keeps religious freedom in exchange for political freedom
1956		Khampa tribesmen and monks are killed; Bombs destroy Litang Monastery.
1959		Tibet is taken over by China; thousands are killed in the Lhasa Uprising.
1963		A new constitution is drafted by the Tibetan government-in-exile
1964		The Panchen Lama is given ten years in prison for speaking against China.
1965		The Tibet Autonomous Region is established by the Chinese.
1966		The Dalai Lama is considered enemy of the state; Cultural Revolution is forced onto Tibet.
1980		Tibet is once again open to outside trade and tourism.
1982		Lop Nor nuclear tests; people are evacuated from the area.
1985		A university is opened is Lhasa; still restrictions on religion.
1987		A pro-independence demonstration is constructed by monks.
1988		The Tibetan language is now the "official language."
1989		Panchen Lama is released from prison; he renounces China once again, and dies mysteriously; Nobel Peace Prize is given to Dalai Lama.
1990		China rejects Dalai Lama's compromise.
1993		China rejects another compromise made by the Dalai Lama.
1995		New Panchen Lama is named but changed by China; Hunger strike in NYC, Phuntsok Nyidron awarded the Reebok Human Rights Award.