Main Historical Events in Reykjavik, Iceland

  • 874 AD: Settlement of Reykjavik by Norseman Ingólfur Arnarson.
  • 1786: Reykjavik becomes the official capital of Iceland.
  • 1904: Reykjavik receives its first electric street lights.
  • 1918: Iceland gains independence from Denmark and Reykjavik becomes the capital of the newly established Kingdom of Iceland.
  • 1944: Iceland becomes a fully independent republic with Reykjavik as its capital.
  • 1972: Reykjavik hosts the historic World Chess Championship match between Boris Spassky and Bobby Fischer, known as the "Match of the Century".
  • 1986: Reykjavik hosts the Reykjavik Summit between US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, aimed at reducing nuclear arms.
  • 2000: Reykjavik celebrates its 1,100th anniversary since settlement.
  • 2010: The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano disrupts air travel across Europe.
  • 2018: Reykjavik celebrates its 100th anniversary as the capital of Iceland.