9 Nov 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Bolshevik troops gradually take over the province of Livonia (in 21 Nov 1917 military administration of Livonia replaced by the United Latvian Workers, Soldiers and Landless Peasants' Soviet, located in Valka).
29 Dec 1917 Autonomous Latvian Soviet government within the Russian Soviet Republic declared.
30 Jan 1918 Latvian Provisional National Council establishe in 30 Nov 1917 by the representatives of the Land Councils of Livonia, Courland and Lettgallia, declares (underground) that Latvia "shall be an independent republic."
18 Feb 1918 - 22 Feb 1918 Livonia and Lettgallia gradually occupied by Germany.
3 Mar 1918 In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski) Courland, the city of Riga, and its surroundings are "no longer subject to Russia."
8 Mar 1918 Land Council of Courland (Landesrat von Kurland), set up by the local German elite in Jelgava (Mitau), proclaims the Duchy of Courland, and resolves to make it in personal union with Prussia (15 Mar 1918 independence recognized by Germany).
12 Apr 1918 The Joint Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and Ösel (Vereinigter Landesrat von Livland, Estland, Riga und Ösel), set up by set up by the local German elite, proclaims the independent Baltic State (Baltischer Staat), also and resolves to make it into a Duchy in personal union with the kingdom of Prussia. The German Emperor, Wilhelm II, expresses his gratitude to the delegation offering him the ducal title and defers his answer (which never comes); (from 8 Nov 1918, state also includes Courland).
1 Aug 1918 German administrations for the Administrative Regions of Livonia, Estonia, Courland, Ösel and Riga united into a central Military Administration of the Baltic Lands in Riga.
27 Aug 1918 Treaty of Berlin the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is amended, Russia relinquishes rights over the rest of Livonia and Krustpils (Kreuzburg), but (nominally) retains Lettgallia.
22 Sep 1918 Independence of the Baltic State is recognized by Germany.
8 Nov 1918 A regency council for the Baltic State is set up by United Land Council of Livonia, Estonia Riga, and Ösel, and the Land Council Courland, incorporating the Duchy of Courland into the Baltic State, which is declared to be a federal state, consisting of 7 cantons: Estonia, Courland, Lettgallia, North Livonia, Ösel, Riga and South Livonia (institutions of the Baltic State function [from 17 Nov 1918 in opposition] until their dissolution in 28 Nov 1918).
11 Nov 1918 Germany signs an Armistice at Compiegne, France, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is declared void. The German military administration of the Baltic Lands functions until 26 Nov 1918. Principal Allied and Associated Powers recognize the Latvian National Council as the de facto government of Latvia.
18 Nov 1918 Declaration of statehood (Latvia, styles Republic of Latvia and Democratic Republic of Latvia also in occasional use).
25 Nov 1918 Germany recognizes de facto independence of Latvia
25 Nov 1918 - 26 Nov 1919 German and Allied military administrations in Liepaja (Libau), Riga and Jelgava (Mitau)
17 Dec 1918 Latvian Conciliar ("Soviet") (from 15 Jan 1919, Socialist Soviet) Republic proclaimed (in opposition to the Republic of Latvia); recognized by Soviet Russia on 22 Dec 1918.
3 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Soviet Russian troops occupy Riga.
22 May 1919 Soviet troops lose Riga, Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic reduced to the eastern part of Latvia (Russian occupied Lettgallia).
13 Jan 1920 Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic dissolved in exile Soviet Russian troops leave on 1 Feb 1920.
11 Aug 1920 Latvian independence recognized by Russia (effective 4 Oct 1920).
26 Jan 1921 Independence de jure recognized by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.
7 Nov 1922 Republic of Latvia.
17 Jun 1940 Occupied by the Soviet Union.
21 Jul 1940 Renamed Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
5 Aug 1940 Incorporation into Soviet Union (the move is not internationally recognized).
23 Jun 1941 - 9 Jul 1941 Gradually occupied by Germany (in Riga from 1 Jul 1941).
28 Jun 1941 Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared the government functions in the liberated areas and in the German rear until 7 Jul 1941.
1 Sep 1941 Latvia is made a General District (Generalbezirk Lettland), informally Land, within the Reichskommissariat of Ostland. The city of Riga (Gebiet Riga Stadt) is directly administered by the Reichskommissar for Ostland.
17 Jul 1944 - Nov 1944 Gradually re-occupied by Soviets, except the Courland peninsula, (in Riga from 13 Oct 1944).
19 Mar 1945 Autonomous state (Latvia) declared under the German protectorate.
7 May 1945 Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared, the government functions in Liepaja to 8 May 1945.
8 May 1945 German troops in the Courland pocket surrender.
28 Jul 1989 Declaration of state sovereignty.
4 May 1990 Republic of Latvia (Latvia used as an alternate polity style to 6 Jul 1993); declaration of restoration of independence.
21 Aug 1991 Constitutional law on the status of state (independence).
6 Sep 1991 Independence recognized by Soviet Union.