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| 1977 |
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| The U.S. and the USSR traded places with respect to support of Somalia and Ethiopia in a war over the Ogaden region; the latter was aided by the USSR and Cuba in the war with U.S.-backed Somalia (1977–78). | 1 |
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| 1984–85 |
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| Widespread famine in Ethiopia, due to wars of liberation in Tigre and Eritrea, was compounded by severe drought, led to as many as 1 million deaths, and sparked massive international relief efforts, including the July 1985 internationally televised Live Aid concerts. | 2 |
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| 1987, Sept |
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| The Ethiopian legislature passed a bill to grant some autonomy to rebellious provinces, but this failed to end the wars of secession. | 3 |
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| 1991, May 21 |
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| Lt. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam quit the presidency and fled the country as the Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) advanced on the capital and other rebel groups made advances against the Ethiopian army. | 4 |
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| May 24 |
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| The EPLF defeated the Ethiopian army and captured Asmara, Eritrea. | 5 |
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