Key Dates in the History of the Republic of South Ossetia

I - XIV A.D.: The Alan people are described in the written sources, as one of the most active political forces in the Northern and Southern Caucasus. Alans were involved in agriculture, crafts and trading.

X - XII: The Alans established an independent state..

1774, October: Establishment of united Ossetia, as a federation of civil societies, within the Russian Empire.

Until 1917: Ossetia is in one of the Caucasian provinces of the Russian Empire.

1917-1920: Formation of all-Ossetian national political institutions: Congress of Ossetian people, carrying out representative functions, and the National Council, which was the organ of the executive power. A South Ossetian National Council, elected by the Congress of the delegates of South Ossetia, is established in South Ossetia.

1918-1920: The Georgian Democratic Republic, supported initially by Germany and then by the Entente countries, organizes four punitive expeditions against South Ossetia. As a result of the last attack in July of 1920, more than 5,000 Ossetians died, over 100 villages were destroyed and about 50,000 people were forced to flee South Ossetia, becoming refugees in other countries.

1930-1980: The Georgian SSR carries out a policy of discrimination against non-Georigian ethnic minorities, aimed at their complete assimilation.

1988: (summer-autumn) Under the slogans "Georgia for Georgians" and "Georgia is above everything" anti-Ossetian and anti-Abkhazian campaigns are launched in Georgia.

1989, 23 November: Representatives of the Georgian nationalistic movements attempt to enter Tskhinval, triggering the Georgian-Ossetian conflict.

1990, 20 September: The Supreme Soviet of the SOAR (South Ossetian Autonomous Region), in accordance with the acting legislation, declare formation of the Republic within the Georgian SSR.

1992, 19 January: A Referendum is held in South Ossetia on the formation of an independent state. Over 99% of the population voted in favor of it.

1992, 29 May: The Session of the Supreme Soviet of RSO adopts the Act on the independence of South Ossetia.

1992, 24 June: An agreement is signed in Sochi about the principles of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict settlement (the Dagomys agreements). In total, in the period between 1989 and 1992 about 1,000 Ossetians were killed, more than 3,000 were seriously injured and there were 115,000 refugees. Out of 365 Ossetian villages, 117 were completely or partially destroyed. Damages estimated at $18 billion was inflicted on the economy of South Ossetia.

2004, May-2008, July: The Georgian government violates the cease-fire and supports terrorist activities against the Republic of South Ossetia. During this period, the South Ossetian government has proof that the Georgian special services committed 23 subversive-terrorist acts, which resulted in in 11 deaths and 43 injured. In total, there were more than 36 people killed, 85 wounded and 76 kidnapped during this time.

2008, 7-12 August: Georgia withdraws from the Dagomis agreement and launches an attack on South Ossetia. The residential areas of Tskhinval are subjected to massive rocket-bomb strikes. There were at least 165 to 178 people killed, according to official sources. More than 30,000 people were forced to flee their homes, becoming refugees.

2008, 26 August: The Russian Federation bestows official recognition of the Republic of South Ossetia. Nicaragua and Venezuela have also recognized South Ossetia's independent status.