1836    South Australia and Adelaide are founded.

1901    The British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia federate as the Commonwealth of Australia; Edmund Barton is appointed the first Prime Minister.

1911    Northern Territory is separated from South Australia and transferred to Commonwealth control.

1942    World War II: General Douglas MacArthur, at Terowie, South Australia, makes his famous speech regarding the fall of the Philippines, in which he says: "I came out of Bataan and I shall return".

1953    British nuclear test ''Totem 1'' detonated at Emu Field, South Australia.

1953    British nuclear test ''Totem 2'' is carried out at Emu Field, South Australia.

1965    Premier Tom Playford of South Australia loses power after 27 years in office.

1966    The Beaumont Children go missing from Glenelg Beach near Adelaide, South Australia.

1983    The Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia kill 75.

2006    Mike Rann secures the first Labor majority government in South Australia since 1985 by winning the state election.