Chronology

1286

Valga appears for the first time in the credit register of the city of Riga.

1298

1329

1345

Valga suffers from looting raids made by Lithuanians who are led by Grand Duke Gediminas and Algridas during the second and third time.

1481

A looting raid by Russians, the settlement burns down for the fourth time.  

1500

Valga, a settlement in the heart of Old Livonia that is not fortified, is chosen as the location for assembling towns' days for 36 times up to 1500. 

1501

During another raid by Russians the settlement gets burnt down for the fifth time. 

1558

During the Livonian War that bursts out the medieval settlement of Valga is completely destroyed. 

1584

On June 11, Valga is granted the charter and Riga bylaws by Stefan Batory, the King of Poland. 

1590

On April 17, King of Poland, Sigismund III authorizes the charter for the second time. Valga gets its city arms. 

1600

The first town map. There are seen 42 house properties. The town is 7 km long and 0.5 to 0.25 km wide. 

1626

After the Polish-Swedish War Valga becomes the subject of Sweden. 

On March 6,  King Gustav Adolf II authorizes the existing privilege.

1710

As the result of the Great Northern War, Valga is subjected under Russian rule together with the rest of Estonia. 

1764

On October 5, Empress Catherine II authorizes the town privilege.

1783

The district of Valga is formed during the "regency rule" of Catherine II 

1780

First stone buildings are erected: a church, a school and county offices. 

1789

Landsurveyor O.S.Engell drafts the map of Valga showing 76 plots with houses.

1816

The building of  St. John's Church is finished.

1876

Walkscher Anzeiger, the first newspaper in Valga is issued. 

1889

Valga Railway Station is opened. 

On July 22 Tartu-Valga railway line is officially opened. 

1890

On December 16, Valga Temperance Society is founded.

1896

Pärnu-Valga narrow-gauge railway is opened.

1901

On December 7, together with Latvians, Estonians succeed to win the elections over Germans in Valga - the first occasion on the Estonian territory. The chemist Johannes Märtson is elected mayor.

1902

In the building of Temperance Society there is founded the social society Säde. Andres Alver, the county medical officer is elected chairman. 

Valga-Marienburg narrow-gauge railway is opened. 

1908

Girls' Progymnasium is changed into Gymnasium with Marta Pärna as a principal. 

1909

The construction of Säde building is commenced (architect G. Hellat) 

1917

A German zeppelin flies over the town and drops forty high-explosive bombs without hitting the main target -- the railway station.

1918

On January 11, the Counsil of Delegates of Valga County Workers, Soldiers and Landless Men gains power in the town.

On February 12, German Army occupies Valga.

1919

On January 11, Valga Estonian Gymnasium is opened in 22 Kesk street. For the first time in the history of gymnasiums in Valga the teaching language is Estonian.

In the end of January, 107 victims of red terrorism are found from the five mass graves around Valga, 67 people are taken away as hostages.

On January 31 takes place the battle at Paju and consequently Valga is freed from bolsheviks.

1920

On July 1, the British envoy Colonel S. G. Tallents conclusively establishes the border between Estonia and Latvia. Valga proper up to Konnaoja and Luke graveyard remains intact under Estonian rule.

1921

On February 11, the decree of Estonian government establishes the territory of Valga county. Valga becomes a county centre.

1941

On July 9, Valga is occupied by German troops. 

1944

On September 19, in the course of heavy fighting Valga is liberated from German occupation. It is substituted by Soviet occupation.
 

1988

Valga Protection of Antiquities Society is founded. On November 27, on the initiative of the Society, there is commemorated the beginning the Liberation War at the memorial for those killed in the war. 

1989  

On February 24, the first Estonian flag of the re-established independence period is hoisted to the flagpole of 12 Aia street. 

1992

On May 24, the Russian army base in Valga is taken over, later on it becomes the border guard post.
 

1993

On October 17, the first free elections of the municipal council, after the restoration of independence, take place.

1994

On January 31, on the 75th anniversary of the battle at Paju its memorial is opened.  

June 21-25, worldwide days of Valga county people take place.