1st century BC The ancient historian and geographer Strabo, in his reference work *Geography*, places present-day Nagorno-Karabakh in the Kingdom of Armenia under King Tigranes the Great.
Map and timeline
From the 16th century onwards, the Caucasus region, where Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh are located, becomes contested between the Ottoman, Persian, and Russian empires.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Armenian population is divided between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. Located in the Russian Empire, Nagorno-Karabakh is almost entirely populated by Armenians.
1915 The Young Turk Party, which took power in 1908 in a declining Ottoman Empire, carries out the extermination of two-thirds of the two million Armenians living there.
1918 Following the demise of the Russian Empire, Armenia and Azerbaijan proclaim their independence. Fights break out between the two countries over the control of several regions, including Karabakh. The Congress of Armenians in Karabakh proclaims its independence, and two years later, its attachment to Armenia.
1920 The Soviets take power in Azerbaijan and Armenia. These two countries become Soviet Socialist Republics.
1921 The Soviets decide to attach Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan, despite it being almost entirely populated by Armenians. In 1923, Nagorno-Karabakh is granted the status of an autonomous oblast (an administrative subdivision with limited autonomy), still under Azerbaijan’s authority.
1963 A petition from the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh denounces the discriminatory treatment imposed by Azerbaijan and demands the territory be attached to Armenia.
1988 Moscow expresses a desire for liberalization. The Soviet of Nagorno-Karabakh votes to join Armenia. This vote has no effect. The Sumgait pogrom, a massacre in a small Azerbaijani town where several dozen Armenians are killed, triggers an escalation that leads to the first war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over control of Nagorno-Karabakh.
1991 Armenia and Azerbaijan gain independence. Nagorno-Karabakh also proclaims its independence, but without international recognition. According to international law, the territory remains Azerbaijani.
1994 A ceasefire agreement is signed in the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Nagorno-Karabakh becomes a de facto state with close ties to Armenia.
September 27th, 2020 Azerbaijan launches the second Nagorno-Karabakh war and quickly advances in taking control of the territory.
November 9th, 2020 A ceasefire agreement is signed between the Armenian and Azerbaijani governments under the monitoring of a Russian peacekeeping force.
December 2022 Azerbaijan imposes a blockade, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis.
September 19th, 2023 Azerbaijan launches a new military offensive and takes control of the territory. In just a few days, the entire Armenian population, over 100,000 people, begins the exodus towards Armenia.
