1949    The merger of two princely states of India, Cochin and Travancore, into the state of Thiru-Kochi (later re-organized as Kerala) in the Indian Union ends more than 1,000 years of princely rule by the Cochin Royal Family.

1956    The Indian states Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Mysore state are formally created under the States Reorganisation Act.

1957    In India, Communists win the first elections in united Kerala and E.M.S. Namboodiripad is sworn in as the first chief minister.

2002    Marad massacre of eight Hindus near Palakkad in Kerala.