The important dates
10 June 1215
Monaco is taken by the
Genoese. The Grimaldi lays the first stone of the stronghold which today
is the Prince's Palace. Their leader, Fulco des Cassello, obtains
sovereignty for all of the land surrounding the Rock of Monaco from the
Emperor Henri VI. In order to attract more inhabitants, Fulco des Cassello
grants great advantages to newcomers such as free land and tax
exemptions. From that date forward, the Rock becomes the object of the
ongoing struggle between the two parties disputing power in the Republic
of Genoa, the Ghibellines, partisans of the Emperor and the Guelfs,
faithful followers of the Pope.
1269 The Guelfs and their allies,
the Grimaldis, are expelled from Genoa. They take refuge in Provence with
all of their armed forces..
8 January 1297 Disguised as a
Franciscan monk, François Grimaldi penetrates the stronghold of Monaco.
From that day on, the coat of arms of the Grimaldis will include the image
of two armed Franciscan monks. The Principality celebrated its 700th
anniversary in 1997, on this date which represents the first possession of
Monaco by the Grimaldi family.
1301 The Grimaldis lose control of
Monaco.
12 September 1331 Charles I
reconquers the Rock. Many consider him to be the true founder of the
Principality. He buys back property of the Spinolas, allies of the
Ghibellines, and then the doMayns of Menton and Roquebrune and becomes the
first Lord of Monaco.
1489 The King of France, Charles
VIII and the Duke of Savoy recognize the sovereignty of Monaco.
1507 After a siege of more than 100
days, the Genoese were repelled by the garrison of Lucien I.
1512 Louis XII, King of France,
recognizes the independence of Monaco.
1525 Augustin I, in disagreement
with the French authorities, places Monaco under the protectorate of the
Spaniard, Charles-Quint.
1612 Upon the advice of his uncle,
the Prince of Valdetare, Honoré II takes the title of the Prince and Lord
of Monaco. This title, recognized by the King of Spain, is passsed to his
successors.
14 September 1641 After 10 years of
negociation and thanks to the influence of Richelieu, Honoré II and Louis
XIII sign the Treaty of Péronne which recognizes the sovereign right of
Monaco and grants the Prince and his descendants an equality of rank with
the highest French nobles. The French Kingdom thus ensures a protective
friendship with the Principality of Monaco.
17 November 1641 The Spanish
garrison evicts from Monaco and they are replace by the french
garrison.
1662 Death of Prince Honoré II who
during his reign continually makes improvements to the Prince's Palace: -
construction of the South wing which closes the Grand Apartments (today
open to visitors)- creation of a prodigious collection of art objects
(over 700 paintings, pieces of furniture, tapisteries and silverware).
1662 - 1701 Reign of Louis I, nephew
of Louis XIV. He is chosen as French Ambassador to the Holy See.
1701 Antoine I accedes to the
throne. He undertakes important construction projects on the
fortifications to protect Monaco from any risk of invasion by the Duke of
Savoy who occupies Provence. The access ramp and the tour of "oreillon"
are constructed during his reign.
1731 Louise Hippolyte have reign 10
month and is husband take the Regency (Jacques de Goyon, Sire of
Matignon). Husband of Princess Louise-Hippolyte, he must give up his name
and his arms to accede to the throne under the name of Jacques I.
7 November 1733 Jacques I
"abdicates" in favor of his 13-year-old son, Honoré III.
15 February 1793 Monaco is annexed
by France under the name of Fort Hercule. The Palace treasures are
dispersed. During the entire French Revolution, the Princely Family will
live through a terrible time. The wife of Joseph Grimaldi (2nd son of
Honoré III) is guillotined in 1794.
30 May
1814 The first Treaty of Paris restores to Monaco and its
Princes their rights of before January 1, 1793.
20 Novembre 1815 The second Treaty
of Paris places Monaco under the protectorate of the King of Sardinia. The
local population is subjected to trying times under this less advantageous
treaty.
20 March 1848 Menton and Roquebrune
proclaim themselves independent and place themselves under the
protectorate of the Sardes.
1856 Charles III accedes to the
throne.
2 February 1861 The Prince gice the
townof France Menton and Roquebrune. The Principality thereby loses 80% of
its territory, however its independent status is at last recognized.
France begins work on connecting Nice to Monaco by a coastal road, as well
as creating a stop in Monaco on the pre-existing railroad line betwe en
Nice and Genoa.
1863 The company the Société des Bains de Mer
et du Cercle des Etrangers is leased to François Blanc for 50 years and he
is granted a monopoly on gambling.
1865 First Monaco stamp issued.
1 June 1866 The Spélugues Plateau is
named Monte-Carlo in honor of Prince Charles III.
1869 All forms of direct taxation
are abolished.
1879 Monte-Carlo
Opera inaugurated.
1881 Adoption of the colors Red and
White for the Flag of Monaco.
15 March 1887 The Diocese of Monaco
is created.
1889 Death of Charles III. Albert I,
his son, accedes to the throne. A devoted scientific, he is particularly
interested in oceanography and research on prehistory. He have created the
peace institute.
1891 Creation of the Automobile Club
of Monaco.
1902 Creation of the Museum of
Prehistoric Anthropology.
1906 Foundation of
the Oceanographic Institute.
29 March 1910 Inauguration of the
Oceanographic Museum which is part of the Oceanographic Institute.
5 January 1911 The Principality of
Monaco becomes a constitutional monarchy.
1911 Organization of the first
Automobile Rally in Monte-Carlo.
1922 Louis II succeeds his
father.
1923 Birth of the future Rainier
III.
1929 First Automobile Grand Prix of
Monaco.
1933 Inauguration of the Exotic
Garden.
1936 Monaco issues its own stamps
throug the Office des Timbres-Poste.
1939 The first Louis II is
inaugurated.
1942 First broadcast of Radio
Monte-Carlo.
9 May 1949 His Royal Highness Prince
Rainier III suceeds his father, Prince Louis II.
18 April 1956 Prince Rainier III
marries Miss Grace-Patricia Kelly.
23 January 1957 Birth of Princess
Caroline.
14 March 1958 Birth of His Royal
Highness, Prince Albert.
1961 First International Television
Festival.
17 December 1962 New
Constitution.
18 May 1963 Signing of a fiscal and
customs agreement between Monaco and France.
1 February 1965 Birth of Princess
Stephanie.
1971 End of construction of
Fontvieille (2.94 acres taken from the sea).
1972 Opening of the National
Museum.
1974 Creation of the International
Circus Festival.
14 September 1982 Death of Princess
Grace in a tragic car accident.
28 May 1993 The Principality is
admitted into the United Nations.
June 1996 Monaco obtains its own
telephone country code, "377".
1997 Celebration of the 700th
Anniversary of the Grimaldi Reign.
1999 Jubilé 50 years of Prince
Rainier III Reign.
 2004 Monaco's Crown Prince Albert represented the
Principality at the ceremony on 5 October 2004 to mark his country's
accession to the Council of Europe. He made a speech in the Assembly
Chamber.
6 April 2005 Death of Prince Rainier
III.
2005 His son becomes Prince Albert
II.
1/2 July 2011
Prince Albert II marries Miss Charlene Wittstock.
December 10th,2014
Birth of Prince Jacques Honoré Rainier and Princess Gabriella Thérèse Marie.
Juillet 2015
Festivities for the 10 years reign of HSH Prince Albert II
Genealogical
Tree will help situate you in the 700 years of Grimaldi Family
reign.
|