British seize Aden to satisfy need for coaling station between Egypt and India; port administered as part of British India

British extend authority in Aden hinterlands; Some 31 treaties of protection signed with local rulers over next 36 years; Area administered as Aden Protectorate

Aden Protectorate Levies created as military force of local tribesman commanded by British officials

Aden given status of crown colony; Becomes an enclave within the protectorate

British Petroleum (BP) constructs refinery at Little Aden

Federation of Amirates of the South created as an autonomous territory

Aden joins the federation; Name changed to Federation of South Arabia; National Liberation Front (NLF) declares lead in armed struggle against British rule

Last British troops withdraw NLF proclaims independent People’s Republic of South Yemen; Attempts to combine nationalism with Marxism; US Embassy in Aden closes in 1969

Country name changed to People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (commonly known as South Yemen)

Normalization of relations with Oman end nearly 15 years of confrontation

Open border, economic talks between North and South; Aden targeted as focal point for post-unification investment in joined market economy