Algeria: History

1830 French colonization begins and borders of modern-day Algeria are created.

1962

Algeria gains independence from France.

1986

Violent protests and strikes erupt following the collapse of oil and gas prices, which intensified already increasing inflation and unemployment. Serious rioting continues through 1988.

2006 Algeria’s economic recovery is exemplified by the fact that the country agrees to pay back all of its $8 billion debt to the Paris Club.

2009

Nigeria, Niger, and Algeria agree to build a $13 billion pipeline to transport gas across the Sahara to the Mediterranean.

2011 Major protests occur over food prices and unemployment, and the government orders that there be cuts to the price of food.

2016

Parliament passes constitutional reforms limiting presidents to two terms, expanding the legislature's power and giving the Berber language official status.

2019

Street protests prompt President Bouteflika to resign, having earlier postponed presidential elections because of political turmoil. The speaker of the upper house of parliament becomes interim president, but protests continue.