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| 1967, Nov |
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| Nur Ahmad Etemadi became the new prime minister. | 1 |
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| 1971–72 |
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| The worst drought in Afghanistan's recorded history. In spite of extensive international aid, some 100,000 people died during the resulting famine. | 2 |
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| 1973, July 17 |
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| A bloodless MILITARY COUP was organized by former prime minister MUHAMMAD DAOUD, who became the new head of state. The new government, which declared itself a republic, immediately suspended the constitution of 1964. The king, Zahir Shah, officially abdicated on Aug. 24. | 3 |
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| 1975, May 1 |
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| Nationalization of the country's banks. | 4 |
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| 1977, Jan. 30 |
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| Promulgation of a new constitution. Muhammad Daoud was elected president on Feb. 14. | 5 |
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| 1978, April 27 |
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| A MILITARY COUP installed the left-wing regime of Nur Muhammad Taraki, who became president and prime minister. Muhammad Daoud and several other leaders of the fallen government were executed. | 6 |
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| 1979, Sept. 16 |
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| Resignation of Pres. Taraki. Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin became the new president. | 7 |
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| Dec. 21 |
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| THE SOVIET INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN immediately ignited a civil war (See Dec). The Soviet force consisted of 85,000 troops, rising to 120,000 by 1983. The war uprooted more than 3 million civilian refugees, who fled across the border to Pakistan and Iran. Six days later, Pres. Amin was overthrown and executed. BABRAK KARMAL succeeded to the presidency. | 8 |
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