CHRONOLOGY: 60 turbulent years of Israel

(Reuters) - Israel celebrates its 60th anniversary on Thursday, according to the Jewish calendar.

Following is a chronology of its turbulent history:

May 14, 1948 - David Ben-Gurion proclaims the State of Israel hours before the British Mandate is due to end. On May 15, forces from five Arab countries attack Israel.

1949 - Armistices with Arab states but no formal peace.

October 29, 1956 - Israel invades Gaza Strip and Sinai in conjunction with Suez Canal campaign launched by Britain and France against Egypt. Israeli forces withdraw in March 1957.

June 1, 1962 - Adolf Eichmann, an architect of Nazi Holocaust kidnapped by Israeli agents in Argentina, hanged in Israel after being convicted of crimes against humanity.

June 5, 1967 - Israel launches pre-emptive strikes against Egypt and Syria after what it sees as aggressive moves by Egypt. Six Day War leaves it occupying West Bank, including Arab East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Sinai and Golan Heights.

September 5, 1972 - Palestinians kill 11 Israeli athletes at Munich Olympics. Israel later kills guerrilla leaders it blames.

October 6, 1973 - Egypt and Syria attack along Suez Canal and Golan Heights. After initial reverses in Yom Kippur War, Israel pushes both armies back within three weeks.

February 1974 - Gush Emunim, religious Zionist group backing Jewish settlement expansion in occupied territories, founded.

July 4, 1976 - Israeli commandos rescue 98 Israeli and Jewish hostages in Entebbe, Uganda, after Palestinian and German guerrillas had hijacked an Air France airliner.

May 17, 1977 - Menachem Begin's right-wing Likud party wins national elections, ending 29 years of Labour party dominance.

November 19, 1977 - Egyptian President Anwar Sadat makes landmark visit to Israel, breaking 30 years of hostility.

March 14, 1978 - Israeli forces cross into south Lebanon to fight Palestinian guerrillas. Israel later withdraws.

September 17, 1978 - Begin and Sadat sign Camp David accords brokered by U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

March 26, 1979 - Begin and Sadat sign peace treaty at the White House, the first between Israel and an Arab country.