Amsterdam History
1275 Amsterdam is granted exemption from paying tolls on Dutch waterways, enabling it to focus on trade and fishing
1287 Storm breaches sand dunes, creating Zuiderzee and giving Amsterdam direct access to the sea
1300 Amsterdam is acknowledged as a city
1317 Amsterdam becomes part of Holland
1323 The city obtains exclusive rights for importing beer from Hamburg
1368 Amsterdam joins the Hanseatic League
1400s Amsterdam is governed by Philip of Burgundy
1519 Amsterdam comes under Spanish rule
1543 The political union of the Netherlands is created by Charles V, a descendant of Philip of Burgundy, with Brussels as the capital
1568 Start of the 80-year war – Holland revolts against the religious persecution of Spain, but Amsterdam remains loyal
1578 Amsterdam, isolated, signs a peace treaty with the rest of The Netherlands
1580 Portugal is conquered by Spain; the Dutch are forced to travel further afield in their search for trade; Amsterdam gains importance as a port
1585 Antwerp falls to the Spanish; Amsterdam experiences economic boom
1600s The Golden Age: Amsterdam emerges as Europe's leading trade centre and culture flourishes; the age of Rembrandt etc
1602 Dutch East Indian Company is established
1609 Construction of Amsterdam's three central canals
1648 Spain recognises Dutch independence
1672 The Netherlands is at war with France and is attacked by England
1689 William of Orange succeeds to the English throne as William III following the Glorious Revolution
1747 Willem IV of Orange assumes royal status
1795 Holland is occupied by the French and renamed the Bavarian Republic; Lodewijk Napoleon, brother of the French emperor, is made head of the republic
1815 Willem I of Orange accepts the throne; although Amsterdam remains the formal capital – while the Government takes residence in The Hague – the city's commercial and maritime glory has declined
1839 Belgium gains independence and The Netherlands is established within its modern-day frontiers
late 1800s Suez Canal opens; trade with Indonesia intensifies and the first diamonds arrive in Amsterdam
10 May 1940 Germany invades, and occupies, The Netherlands
5 May 1945 Germany capitulates, ending World War II in Europe
1948 Queen Wilhelmina abdicates in favour of her daughter Juliana
1949 Following a four-year war, The Netherlands grants independence to the Dutch East Indies, which becomes Indonesia
1950s/60s Considerable economic growth
1958 The Netherlands joins the EEC, later known as the EU
1980 Queen Beatrix assumes the throne
Tours of Amsterdam
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