| BC 5000s |
First civilization has settled at Anatolian shores of Bosporus, the area they have settled was Chalcedon (today Kadıköy). |
| BC 1100s |
Thracian tribes had built a port called Lygos at the Seraglio Point, on the European side of the Bosporus. |
| BC 685 |
Greek settlers from Megara (near Athens) colonized to Cape Moda in Chalcedon. |
| BC 667 |
Megaran King Byzas founded Byzantion on the site of Lygos, at the Seraglio Point (today Sarayburnu – Eminönü). |
| 196 |
The city was besieged by Roman Empire and was hardly damaged. |
| 330 |
Byzantium was officially proclaimed as the capital of Roman Empire by taking the name of "Constantinapolis" and the official religion was declared as "Christian" in 330, May 11. |
| 395 |
Roman Empire divided into Eastern and Western halfs. Constantinople became the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. |
| 1453 |
Sultan Mehmed II, The Conqueror, conquered Constantinople after 53 day siege. Istanbul became the capital of Ottoman Empire. |
| 1923 |
Ottoman Empire transformed to Turkish Republic, afterwards Ankara became the capital of Turkish Republic |
| |
For detailed information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Istanbul
http://english.istanbul.gov.tr/Default.aspx?pid=293 |