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.