15th Century
1403 The first Chinese envoy, Yin Ching arrives in Malacca
1410 Parameswara visits the Ming Emperor in China
1414 Parameswara embraces Islam and changes his name to Raja Iskandar Shah
1424 Parameswara's son, Seri Maharaja, ascends the throne and later assumes the title "Sultan", becoming the first ruler to do so in this region. He changes his name to Sultan Muhammad Shah and rules according to the principles of Islam, establishing palace etiquettes and spreading Islam in this region.
1445 Raja Ibrahim, the youngest son of Sultan Muhammad Shah becomes ruler upon his father's death and
assumes the name, Sultan Abu Shahid.
17 1466 Sultan Abu Shahid's accidental death results in Sultan Muzaffar Shah, his elder brother, assuming the throne.
1447 The first Siamese attack on Malacca but repelled by Malacca fleet.1456 Tun Perak was appointed as the Bendahara, or Chief Minister, and becomes the most well known of all the Bendaharas responsible for the rise of Malacca.
1458 Sultan Mansor Shah succeeds his father Sultan Muzaffar Shah.1477 Sultan Mansor Shah passes away and is succeeded by his son Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah.
1488 An enterprising and just ruler, Sultan Alauddin dies of poisoning in Pagoh. Sultan Mahmud Shah ascends the throne due to the efforts of Tun Perak and Hang Tuah (a famous warrior).
1498 Tun Perak passes away16th Century
1509 The first Portuguese trading expedition, led by Diego Lopez de Sequiera arrives in Malacca with a fleet of ships becoming the first European to reach this archipelago.
1510 Bendahara Tun Mutahir is murdered. Sultan Mahmud Shah temporarily retires and is succeeded by his son, Sultan Ahmad Shah1511 After a 10 day siege, Malacca falls to the Portuguese armada, led by Alfonso D' Albuquerque. The Portuguese rule in Malacca lasts over 130 years.
1512 Albuquerque returns to Goa in January after completing the "A Famosa" fortress that incorporated a five storey tall tower. Sultan Mahmud Shah attacks the Portuguese in Malacca
1513 Patih Unus, a Javanese trader later to become Sultan Demak of Sumatra, attacks Malacca.
1516 Laksamana (Admiral) Hang Nadim, son of Hang Tuah attacks Malacca
1518 Sultan Mahmud Shah's army surrounds the city for three months1523 Sultan Mahmud Shah attacks Malacca.
18 1524 Admiral Hang Nadim besieges Malacca and cuts off its food supply
1537 First Acehnese attack on Portuguese in Malacca.1545 Fr. Francis Xavier arrives in Malacca for the first time. He was to visit Malacca five more times.
1551 Combined forces of Johor, Japara and Perak attack Malacca and hold it under siege for three months.
1553 Fr. Francis Xavier, who dies inSanction Island, near Canton, China, is buried in St. Paul's Church. After nine months, his remains are moved to Goa.
1567 With help from Johor, the Acehnese attack Malacca again but are defeated.
1571 The Acehnese attempt an attack on Malacca again but their invasion is foiled by a storm
1575 Japara attacks Malacca1585 Johor attacks Malacca
1588 The first English visitor, Ralph Ritch, arrives in Malacca
1597 The Dutch attack Malacca
17th CENTURY
1606 A combined Dutch and Johor force attacks Malacca. The timely arrival of Portuguese reinforcement from Goa saves Malacca
1615 The Acehnese mount another attack on Malacca.1628 Acehnese hold Malacca for eight months before withdrawing.
1636 Dutch ships destroy Portuguese ships off the harbour.
1641 Dutch and Johor Malays attack again. After a fierce battle, the Portuguese were forced to Surrender. Dutch rule in Malacca lasts for 154 years.
1645 Cheng Hoon Teng temple is built by Chinese head man, Lee Wei King. This is the oldest surviving temple in Malaysia
1645/70 Dutch war with Naning in the interior due to the locals not paying tax1650 The Stadthuys or "State house", the residence of the Dutch Governor, as well as the administrative centre is built 18th Century
1710 St.Peter's church, the oldest functioning Christian Church in Malaysia, is built by the Portuguese descendents comprising an architectural mix of Oriental and Occidental
1753 The Christ Church is completed1756 The Bugis(from Moluccas) under Daing Kamboja attack Malacca
1784 Raja Haji lands in Malacca to capture it but is killed
1795 The British take over Malacca from the Dutch 19th Century
20 1806 The British begin the total demolition of Portuguese fortress and abandonment of Malacca. They planned to transfer the trade and population to Penang in order to weaken Malacca's standing as a trading centre
1808 The timely arrival of Stamford Raffles saves Malacca from total destruction
1818 With the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Malacca is returned to the Dutch under the Treaty of Venice
1819 Sultan Hussain Mohammad Shah of Johor cedes Singapore to the English East India Company. The Sultan’s grave remained in Singapore.
1824 By an Anglo-Dutch Treaty, or Treaty of London, Malacca is firmly placed under British rule. Along with Penang and Singapore, Malacca is incorporated into the Straits Settlement in 1826
1867 The administration of the Straits Settlements is transferred from The Governor - General of India's Office to the Colonial office in London and Malacca becomes a British colony.
20th Century1904 The Queen Victoria Fountain is erected to commemorate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee
1942 The Japanese Occupation forces take over Malacca1945 Malacca is returrned to British rule after the Japanese surrender to the British in Singapore
1948 A state of "Emergency" is proclaimed as Malaya fights against communist insurgency. Malacca joins the Federation of Malaya
1956 The proclamation of the date of independence by Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister takes place at Padang Bandar Hilir (Padang Pahlawan) in Malacca on 20th February 1957 Malaysia achieves her Independence on August 31st. Malacca's last British Resident Commissioner H.G. Hammet, hands the instrument of independence to the first Local Governer
1989 Malacca is declared a Historical City on April 15th