Armistice ends Korean War, which has cost two million lives.
Rapid growth in industry
US reconnaissance plane shot down.
Kim Il-sung's son, Kim Jong-il, moves up party and political ladder
North and South Korea join the United Nations.
North Korea agrees to allow inspections by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), but over next two years refuses access to sites of suspected nuclear weapons production.
Death of Kim Il-sung
US formally agrees to help provide two modern nuclear reactors designed to produce less weapons-grade plutonium
The late Kim Il-song declared "eternal president"
President George W Bush says North Korea is part of an "axis of evil"
North Korea withdraws from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Third round of six-nation talks on nuclear programme ends inconclusively
Fourth round of six-nation talks on nuclear programme concludes. North Korea agrees to give up its weapons in return for aid and security guarantees. But it later demands a civilian nuclear reactor.
Pyongyang says it has built nuclear weapons for self-defence.
North Korea claims to test a nuclear weapon for the first time.
Kim Jong-un formally takes over ruling party leadership
North Korea threatens U.S.A. with nuclear war