9th-10th Century – The Piast dynasty began to consolidate power in the region known as Greater Poland.
11th Century – Formed a union with Norway under the Old Covenant, losing its full independence but retaining some autonomy.
1397–1523 – Bolesław I (the Brave) became the first King of Poland in 1025, expanding the territory and strengthening its ties with the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy.
14th Century – The Jagiellonian dynasty began with the marriage of Jadwiga of Poland to Władysław II Jagiełło of Lithuania, leading to the Polish-Lithuanian Union. This union created one of the largest and most powerful states in Europe.
15th Century – The Battle of Grunwald (1410) saw Poland and Lithuania decisively defeat the Teutonic Knights, ending the latter’s significant influence in the region.
16th Century – This period is known for the Golden Age of Polish culture, science, and economy.
17th Century – Known as the “Deluge,” this century saw Sweden invade during the Thirty Years’ War (1648-1667), devastating Poland. The Cossack uprisings and wars with Russia further weakened the state.
1683 – Battle of Vienna where Polish cavalry, Hussars played a crucial role in breaking the Ottoman siege, often cited as a turning point in European history against Ottoman expansion.
18th Century – the Commonwealth’s political system, with its liberum veto allowing any noble to nullify legislation, led to internal paralysis. This, combined with external pressures, resulted in the Partitions of Poland by Russia, Prussia, and Austria in 1772, 1793, and 1795, erasing Poland from the map.
1795-1918 – Poland ceased to exist as an independent state, with its lands divided among the partitioning powers. This period saw several uprisings, notably the Kościuszko Uprising (1794) and the November (1830) and January (1863) Uprisings against Russian rule, all ultimately unsuccessful.
1918 – Following World War I, Poland regained independence, largely thanks to the efforts of Józef Piłsudski and the international political climate. The Second Polish Republic was established.
1918-1939 – This period was marked by political instability, economic challenges, and territorial disputes. The 1920 Battle of Warsaw (Miracle on the Vistula) was a pivotal moment, repelling a Soviet invasion.