TIMELINE: Zambia, a rare African success story

(Reuters) - Zambian leader Rupiah Banda has narrowly won a presidential election and was sworn into office Sunday, but the main opposition party said it would challenge the result.

Here is a timeline of major events in Zambia:

1964 - Zambia, formerly the British colony of Northern Rhodesia, holds its first election. Kenneth Kaunda wins presidency and his United National Independence Party (UNIP) wins parliamentary election. In October, Zambia gains independence from Britain.

1972 - Kaunda turns Zambia into one-party state.

1990 - Kaunda signs law allowing other political parties.

1991 - Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), led by Frederick Chiluba, secures landslide victory in first multi-party election in 23 years.

1996 - Chiluba and the MMD are returned to power in election.

1997 - Following months of unrest, rebel soldiers attempt a coup. Kaunda is arrested.

June 1998 - Kaunda walks free from court after the state drops all charges that he knew about the coup plot.

April 2001 - Nine ministers quit the MMD to protest against Chiluba's bid to run for an unconstitutional third term. Chiluba backs down.

Dec 2001 - Prominent lawyer and former Vice-President Levy Mwanawasa of the MMD wins a presidential election with less than 30 percent of vote. Street protests and legal challenges follow.

Feb 2003 - Chiluba is charged with stealing more than $2 million of public money while in office, part of a widening anti-graft drive by Mwanawasa.

Aug 2003 - Police arrest Chiluba and charge him with stealing more than $40 million during his decade in power.

May 2006 - Opposition presidential contender Anderson Mazoka dies.

Sept 2006 - Mwanawasa wins a second term in office. Challenger Michael Sata accuses him of rigging.

Dec 2006 - Opposition leader Sata is charged with false declaration of assets, but a court throws out the case.