9 Nov 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Bolshevik troops gradually take over the province of Livonia (in 21 Nov 1917 military administration of Livonia replaced by the United Latvian Workers, Soldiers and Landless Peasants' Soviet, located in Valka).

29 Dec 1917               Autonomous Latvian Soviet government within the Russian Soviet Republic declared.

30 Jan 1918               Latvian Provisional National Council establishe in 30 Nov 1917 by the representatives of the Land Councils of Livonia, Courland and Lettgallia, declares (underground) that Latvia "shall be an independent republic."

18 Feb 1918 - 22 Feb 1918 Livonia and Lettgallia gradually occupied by Germany.

3 Mar 1918               In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski) Courland, the city of Riga, and its surroundings are "no longer subject to Russia."

8 Mar 1918               Land Council of Courland (Landesrat von Kurland), set up by the local German elite in Jelgava (Mitau), proclaims the Duchy of Courland, and resolves to make it in personal union with Prussia (15 Mar 1918 independence recognized by Germany).

12 Apr 1918               The Joint Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and Ösel (Vereinigter Landesrat von Livland, Estland, Riga und Ösel), set up by set up by the local German elite, proclaims the independent Baltic State (Baltischer Staat), also and resolves to make it into a Duchy in personal union with the kingdom of Prussia. The German Emperor, Wilhelm II, expresses his gratitude to the delegation offering him the ducal title and defers his answer (which never comes); (from 8 Nov 1918, state also includes Courland).

1 Aug 1918               German administrations for the Administrative Regions of Livonia, Estonia, Courland, Ösel and Riga united into a central Military Administration of the Baltic Lands in Riga.

27 Aug 1918               Treaty of Berlin the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is amended, Russia relinquishes rights over the rest of Livonia and Krustpils (Kreuzburg), but (nominally) retains Lettgallia.

22 Sep 1918               Independence of the Baltic State is recognized by Germany.

8 Nov 1918               A regency council for the Baltic State is set up by United Land Council of Livonia, Estonia Riga, and Ösel, and the Land Council Courland, incorporating the Duchy of Courland  into the Baltic State, which is declared to be a federal state, consisting of 7 cantons: Estonia, Courland, Lettgallia, North Livonia, Ösel, Riga and South Livonia (institutions of the Baltic State function [from 17 Nov 1918 in opposition] until their dissolution in 28 Nov 1918).

11 Nov 1918                Germany signs an Armistice at Compiegne, France, Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is declared void. The German military administration of the  Baltic Lands functions until 26 Nov 1918. Principal Allied and Associated Powers recognize the Latvian National Council as the de facto government of Latvia.

18 Nov 1918               Declaration of statehood (Latvia, styles Republic of Latvia and Democratic Republic of Latvia also in occasional use).

25 Nov 1918               Germany recognizes de facto independence of Latvia

25 Nov 1918 - 26 Nov 1919 German and Allied military administrations in Liepaja (Libau), Riga and Jelgava (Mitau)

17 Dec 1918               Latvian Conciliar ("Soviet") (from 15 Jan 1919, Socialist Soviet) Republic proclaimed (in opposition to the Republic of Latvia); recognized by Soviet Russia on 22 Dec 1918.

3 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Soviet Russian troops occupy Riga.

22 May 1919               Soviet troops lose Riga, Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic reduced to the eastern part of Latvia (Russian occupied Lettgallia).

13 Jan 1920               Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic dissolved in exile Soviet Russian troops leave on 1 Feb 1920.

11 Aug 1920               Latvian independence recognized by Russia (effective 4 Oct 1920).

26 Jan 1921               Independence de jure recognized by the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.

7 Nov 1922               Republic of Latvia.

17 Jun 1940               Occupied by the Soviet Union.

21 Jul 1940                Renamed Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.

5 Aug 1940               Incorporation into Soviet Union (the move is not internationally recognized).

23 Jun 1941 - 9 Jul 1941 Gradually occupied by Germany (in Riga from 1 Jul 1941).

28 Jun 1941               Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared the government functions in the liberated areas and in the German rear until 7 Jul 1941.

1 Sep 1941               Latvia is made a General District (Generalbezirk Lettland), informally Land, within the Reichskommissariat of Ostland. The city of Riga (Gebiet Riga Stadt) is directly administered by the Reichskommissar for Ostland.

17 Jul 1944 - Nov 1944     Gradually re-occupied by Soviets, except the Courland peninsula, (in Riga from 13 Oct 1944).

19 Mar 1945               Autonomous state (Latvia) declared under the German protectorate.

7 May 1945               Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared, the government functions in Liepaja to 8 May  1945.

8 May 1945               German troops in the Courland pocket surrender.

28 Jul 1989               Declaration of state sovereignty.

4 May 1990               Republic of Latvia (Latvia used as an alternate polity style to 6 Jul 1993); declaration of restoration of independence.

21 Aug 1991               Constitutional law on the status of state (independence).

6 Sep 1991               Independence recognized by Soviet Union.