• 1970: Iran drops its claim to Bahrain. • 1971: Bahrain gains independence from the United Kingdom. • 1981: Shi’ite fundamentalists launch a failed coup against the king. • 1986: The King Fahd Causeway opens, linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. • 1994: A popular uprising against the king begins. • 1999: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa becomes Emir of Bahrain. • 2000: The uprising ends. • 2001: Bahrainis vote in favor of the National Action Charter, whereby women are granted the right to vote, parliamentary elections are instituted and political prisoners are freed. • 2002: Bahrain changes its name to the Kingdom of Bahrain. • 2011: Protests begin in Bahrain. A national dialogue begins to discuss ways to meet protesters’ demands.