1918

The preparatory office of National Peking Museum of History was moved to the rooms near the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City.

Oct 1, 1926

The National Peking Museum of History officially opened in the Forbidden City for public viewing.

October 1949

The museum was renamed Beijing History Museum.

August 1958

Mao Zedong decided to establish the National Museum of Chinese History and National Museum of Chinese Revolution on the eastern side of Tian'anmen Square.

October 1958

Construction of the two museums began.

October 1959

The construction for two museums was completed and the museums opened to the public.

February 2003

The two museums were merged and formed the National Museum of China.

March 2007

The renovation and expansion project for the National Museum of China started.

March 2011

The newly refurbished National Museum of China began a yearlong trial operation.

April 2012

The museum official opened to the public.

Source: China Daily