Austria Timeline

Austria 47

996 Ostarrîchi Document First Mention of Austria A deed issued by Emperor Otto III where the name "Ostarrîchi" (Austria) appears for the first time in writing.
1137 – present St. Stephen's Cathedral Stephansdom The symbol of Vienna and the site of many important historical events in Austrian history.
1156 Privilegium Minus Birth of the Duchy A document that elevated Austria from a margraviate to an independent duchy under the Babenberg family.
1218 – 1291 Rudolf I of Habsburg Founder of the Dynasty The first Habsburg to become King of the Romans, securing the Duchy of Austria for his family and launching a 600-year reign.
1339 – 1365 Rudolf IV The Founder Founded St. Stephens Cathedral and the University of Vienna; known for his ambitious modernization of the state.
1358 – 1359 Privilegium Maius The Archduchy Claim A clever forgery by Duke Rudolf IV to elevate Austrian rulers to the rank of "Archduke," later confirmed by Emperor Frederick III.
1529 First Siege of Vienna Suleiman the Magnificent The first attempt by the Ottoman Empire to capture Vienna, marking the peak of their expansion into Central Europe.
1572 – present The Spanish Riding School Lipizzaner Stallions The oldest classical riding academy in the world, maintaining the tradition of Lipizzaner horses.
1700 – present Schönbrunn Palace Habsburg Summer Residence A UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important architectural monuments in Austria.
1713 Pragmatic Sanction The Female Succession An edict ensuring the Habsburg hereditary possessions could be inherited by a daughter (Maria Theresa).
1717 – 1780 Maria Theresa Empress and Reformer The only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions; she modernized the military, education, and the legal code.
1741 – 1790 Joseph II The Enlightened Despot Son of Maria Theresa; he abolished serfdom and promoted religious tolerance, though many reforms faced resistance.
1773 – 1859 Klemens von Metternich The Architect of Stability Foreign Minister and Chancellor who dominated European politics through his conservative "Metternich System."
1800 – present The Grossglockner Austria’s Highest Peak The highest mountain in Austria and the Eastern Alps, first summited in 1800.
1814 – 1815 Congress of Vienna The Concert of Europe Chaired by Metternich, this meeting of European ambassadors reorganized Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
1830 – 1916 Franz Joseph I The Longest Reign Emperor of Austria for 68 years; he oversaw the creation of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy.
1837 – 1898 Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) The Tragic Empress The beloved but rebellious Empress known for her beauty and tragic assassination in Geneva.
1856 – 1939 Sigmund Freud Father of Psychoanalysis Founded the clinical method of treating psychopathology through dialogue between patient and psychoanalyst.
1862 – 1918 Gustav Klimt Vienna Secessionist Symbolist painter and primary member of the Vienna Secession movement; famous for "The Kiss."
1867 Austro-Hungarian Compromise The Ausgleich The agreement that re-established the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hungary, creating the Dual Monarchy.
1869 – present Vienna State Opera Wiener Staatsoper One of the world's leading opera houses, opened with a performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni.
1887 – 1961 Erwin Schrödinger Quantum Physicist Nobel laureate who developed the foundations of quantum mechanics, famous for his "cat" thought experiment.
1889 – 1951 Ludwig Wittgenstein Analytical Philosopher One of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, focused on logic and language.
1895 – present Swarovski Crystal Empire Founded in Wattens, Tyrol; it became the world’s leading producer of precision-cut crystals.
1903 – 1989 Konrad Lorenz Ethology Pioneer Nobel Prize winner for his work on animal behavior, particularly imprinting.
1911 – 1990 Bruno Kreisky The Sun King of the Republic The longest-serving Chancellor of the Second Republic, known for extensive social reforms.
1914 Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand The Spark of WWI The heir to the throne was killed in Sarajevo, triggering the chain of events that led to World War I.
1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain End of the Empire The peace treaty after WWI that dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire and created the Republic of German-Austria.
1920 – present The Salzburg Festival Jedermann One of the world’s most prestigious festivals for music and drama, founded by Max Reinhardt and Richard Strauss.
1934 Austrian Civil War February Uprising A brief conflict between the socialist and conservative-fascist forces, leading to the "Austrofascist" state.
1938 The Anschluss Annexation by Nazi Germany The entry of German troops into Austria and its subsequent incorporation into the Third Reich.
1939 – present Vienna New Year's Concert Neujahrskonzert An annual tradition broadcast globally, featuring the music of the Strauss family.
1942 – 1970 Jochen Rindt Posthumous Champion The only driver to be awarded the World Championship posthumously after a fatal accident at Monza.
1944 – present Alexander Van der Bellen Current President The current Federal President of Austria, serving since 2017.
1947 – present Arnold Schwarzenegger The Austrian Oak Bodybuilder, Hollywood icon, and former Governor of California; perhaps the most famous living Austrian.
1949 – 2019 Niki Lauda F1 Legend Three-time Formula One World Champion known for his incredible comeback after a near-fatal crash.
1949 – present Wolfgang Puck Celebrity Chef Austrian-born chef who revolutionized American dining and became a household name.
1955 Austrian State Treaty Restoration of Independence Re-established Austria as a free, sovereign, and neutral state after ten years of Allied occupation.
1955 – present Declaration of Neutrality Always Neutral A constitutional law declaring Austria's perpetual neutrality, a cornerstone of its modern identity.
1956 – present Christoph Waltz Double Oscar Winner Acclaimed actor who won two Academy Awards for his work with director Quentin Tarantino.
1957 – 1998 Falco Rock Me Amadeus The first German-speaking artist to score a number-one hit on the US Billboard charts.
1964 1964 Winter Olympics IX Winter Games - Innsbruck The army had to bring in 20,000 ice blocks due to lack of snow. Winner: Soviet Union.
1972 – present Karl Nehammer Current Chancellor The current Federal Chancellor of Austria, taking office in 2021.
1976 1976 Winter Olympics XII Winter Games - Innsbruck Denver withdrew as host, leading Innsbruck to host for a second time. Winner: Soviet Union.
1984 – present Red Bull GmbH Dietrich Mateschitz The founding of the global energy drink giant, which redefined sports marketing and soft drinks.
1988 – present Conchita Wurst Eurovision Winner The "bearded lady" persona of Tom Neuwirth, who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014.
1995 EU Accession Joining the Union Austria officially became a member of the European Union alongside Finland and Sweden.