1541 Spanish explorer Francisco de Coronado is the first European to visit Nebraska.
1682 Frenchman Robert Cavelier claims the land for France.
1803 The United States buys Nebraska from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
1804 Explorers Lewis and Clark pass through Nebraska on their way west.
1812 Manuel Lisa built a fort on the Missouri River.
1819 Fort Atkinson is built by the U.S. Army.
1823 The first permanent European settlement is established at Bellevue.
1840s Pioneers travel through Nebraska on the Oregon Trail.
1848 Fort Kearny was reestablished. It was located at start of the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail and the California Trail.
1854 The Kansas-Nebraska Act creates the Nebraska Territory.
1854 The city of Omaha is established.
1862 The Union Pacific Railroad is founded in Omaha.
1867 Nebraska is admitted to the Union as the 37th state.
1872 The first Arbor Day is held in Nebraska City.
1877 The Native American war leader Crazy Horse surrenders.
1927 The Kool-Aid company is established in Hastings.
1939 The Kingsley Dam is finished, creating Lake McConaughy.
1955 Omaha replaces Chicago as the nations largest livestock center.