Bosnia and Herzegovina: History

Bosnia and Herzegovina is annexed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in Sarajevo by a Bosnian Serb student, sparks World War I. 

Following defeat in World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapses. Bosnia and Herzegovina joins the newly formed Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is annexed by Nazi Germany's Croatian puppet state.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is liberated at the close of World War II and goes on to join the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Croatia declares independence from Yugoslavia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina declares itself an independent nation. A war with the Serbs immediately follows with the newly proclaimed Serb Republic immediately taking control of over half of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in Paris marks the end of the Bosnian War. The agreement called for the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina into two approximately equal sized entities, one for Bosnian Muslims and Croats, the other for Serbs.

Massive protests occur in Tuzla and the capital city of Sarajevo over the high unemployment rate, which citizens view as a result of government corruption.

Bosnia and Herzegovina signs a stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union. The agreement raises the possibility that Bosnia and Herzegovina could join the EU if key political and economic reforms are carried out.

Bosnia and Herzegovina submits a formal application to join the European Union.