13th century – Mekelle believed to be evolved from hamlet called Enda Meskel, later Medhane Alem, becoming a town by the early 19th century, when Ras Wolde SelassieofEnderta made Antalo his seat power.[1][2]
1882–84 – the grand palace of Yohannes IV was built by Tigrayan engineer Engedashet Kassa Sehul and forms the historic center of Mekelle.[citation needed]
1871 – a church at Debre Gennet Medhane Alem, built after the return from Raya Azebo campaign.[3]
1880s – Mekelle became the capital of the Ethiopian Empire, and urbanized rapidly.[4]
1920s and 1930s – Mekelle emerged as a major trade center.
8 November 1935 – the Italians invaded Mekelle, contributed considerably to its modernization.[5]
1938 – two shops opened, two Italian restaurant and Hotel Amba Aradam with four rooms.[6]
May 1943 – Mekelle was the epicentre of Woyane rebellion against the weak Haile Selassie government. From September–October, the British conducted air bombardment caused heavy damage.[7][8]
1942–74 – the third phase urbanization took place.[9]
25 February 1988 – series of offensives launched as TPLF fighters bypassed Mekelle but took control Maychew, Korem and another place along Dessie–Mekelle Road.[15]
June 1988 – The TPLF controlled Tigray except Mekelle.[16][17]
4 and 5 June 1988 – the Derg sacked villages around Mekelle, which included Addi Gera, Bahri, Goba Zena, Grarot, Issala and Rabea.[18][19]
25 February 1989 – Mekelle was occupied by TPLF, after the government position in Tigray collapsed.[20]
29 December 2002 – a riot was occurred between Ethiopian Orthodox and Adventist followers as Adventist prayer service being conducted in a stadium.[22][23]
17–28 November 2020 – Mekelle offensive was took place by joint Ethiopian and Eritrean military forces during the Tigray War, including aerial bombardment.[25][26][27]
20 December 2020 – witnesses from Mekelle stated that artillery shelling had taken place before 28 November.[28][29][30]
28 June 2021, Mekelle was recaptured by Tigray Defense Force after evacuated by the federal government for several months.[31][32]
