Nov 16 (Reuters) - Voters in Guinea-Bissau went to the polls on Sunday in a parliamentary election that donors hope will restore stability to the impoverished West African state threatened by international drug-traffickers.

Following is a timeline of the former Portuguese colony:

July 1961 - The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) launches a guerrilla war against Portuguese rule.

Jan 20, 1973 - PAIGC leader Amilcar Cabral is assassinated by PAIGC dissidents; PAIGC unilaterally declares Guinea-Bissau independent.

Sept 10, 1974 - The independent state is officially established and Cabral's brother Luis becomes president.

Nov 14, 1980 - Prime Minister Joao Bernardo "Nino" Vieira overthrows Cabral.

Aug 7, 1994 - Vieira wins multiparty presidential election in a run-off against Koumba Yala. A parliamentary election was also held.

May 7, 1999 - After brief civil war, soldiers topple Vieira.

Jan 16, 2000 - Yala wins presidential election in run-off against PAIGC leader Malam Bacai Sanha.

Sept 14, 2003 - Army chief of staff General Verissimo Correia Seabra declares himself interim president after the army seizes power.

July 28, 2005 - Vieira announced winner of July 24 run-off presidential vote against Sanha of the PAIGC.

Nov 2, 2005 - President Vieira names close ally, Aristides Gomes, as prime minister after sacking the administration of his political rival Carlos Gomes Junior on Oct. 28.

March 29, 2007 - Aristides Gomes resigns as prime minister after three main parties sign up to a "stability pact" and carry a no-confidence vote against him.

Feb 29, 2008 - PAIGC withdraws support for Prime Minister Martinho Ndafa Kabi, breaking year-old stability pact.

July 27 - PAIGC announces it is pulling out of national unity government after its representatives are sacked from senior financial posts.

Aug 6 - Rear-Admiral Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, head of the Navy, is suspended and put under house arrest. Two days later, the Army says military officers tried to stage coup a week earlier. Na Tchuto flees to Gambia.

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