1568–1648: Eighty Years' War against Spanish Habsburg rule creates the independent Dutch Republic.
17th Century: Dutch Golden Age establishes global dominance in trade, maritime exploration, science, and fine art.
1815: Reconstructed as the Kingdom of the Netherlands after the Napoleonic Wars.
1940–1945: Severe damage and occupation under Nazi German forces during WWII.
Post-WWII: Implements massive flood engineering projects (Delta Works) and becomes a founding member of NATO and the EEC, and an original signatory of the EU treaty (1992).
Modern Era: Highly open, export-driven agricultural and technological economy known for progressive civil law.