Somalia: History

Britain proclaims Somaliland a British protectorate.

Italy sets up a protectorate in central Somalia.

Italian Somaliland combined with Somali-speaking parts of Ethiopia to form the Italian East Africa province.

Italy occupies British Somaliland for a year during World War II.

Italian Somaliland is renamed Somalia and is granted internal autonomy.

The British and Italian parts of Somalia merge, become independent, and form the United Republic of Somalia.

Somalia joins the Arab League. 

Famine kills almost 260,000 during a 2-year period, while the US-backed Somali government is battling a terrorist group called "Al-Shabab"

The US recognizes Somalia's government for the first time since 1991. Additionally, international donors promise $2.4 billion in reconstruction aid in three-year ''New Deal''.