Baltic Sea

Some of the key events about Baltic Sea

• 1158

  The city of Lübeck was founded, becoming a major trading center on the Baltic Sea
• 1362

  The Hanseatic League was formally established, promoting trade and cooperation among Baltic cities
• 1362

  A massive storm surge known as the "Grote Mandrenke" (Great Drowning of Men) devastated the coastlines of the Baltic Sea, causing thousands of deaths
• 1495

  A severe epidemic, possibly the "English sweating sickness", spread through the Baltic region, causing significant mortality
• 1645

  The Treaty of Brömsebro was signed, ending conflicts between Sweden and Denmark-Norway
• 1658

  The Baltic Sea froze over completely, allowing Swedish troops to march across the ice and invade Denmark
• 1721

  The Treaty of Nystad ended the Great Northern War, reshaping the balance of power in the Baltic region
• 1809

  The Finnish War concluded, leading to Finland's autonomy as a Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire
• 1872

  A major storm surge flooded coastal areas around the Baltic Sea, causing extensive damage and loss of life
• 1915-1918

  During World War I, the Baltic Sea became a theater of naval warfare, disrupting trade and causing loss of civilian and military lives
• 1920

  The League of Nations established the Free City of Danzig, ensuring access to the Baltic Sea for Poland
• 1941-1945

  World War II saw intense naval activity in the Baltic Sea, including the sinking of numerous ships and loss of life
• 1945

  The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in the Baltic Sea resulted in one of the largest maritime disasters in history, with an estimated 9,000 deaths
• 1952

  The Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area was signed
• 1960s-1980s

  Increased industrial pollution and agricultural runoff led to severe eutrophication and ecological damage in the Baltic Sea
• 1974

  The first offshore wind farm in the world was installed in the Baltic Sea near Denmark
• 1986

  The Chernobyl nuclear disaster resulted in radioactive contamination of parts of the Baltic Sea and surrounding areas
• 1995

  The Baltic 21 initiative was launched to promote sustainable development in the Baltic Sea region
• 2000

  The sinking of the MS Estonia in 1994 was officially declared as one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in the Baltic Sea, with 852 lives lost
• 2004

  Eight Baltic Sea countries joined the European Union, fostering closer regional cooperation

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.