1475
The world's first coffee shop, Kiva Han, opens in Constantinople. Soon after, Turkish law makes it legal for a woman to divorce her husband if he fails to provide her with her daily quota of coffee. (Score!)

1600
Coffee is believed by some Christians to be the devil's drink. Pope Vincent III hears this and decides to taste it before he banishes it. He enjoys it so much he baptizes it saying, "coffee is so delicious it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it."

1645
First coffee house opens in Italy.

1668
Edward Lloyd's coffeehouse opens in England and is frequented by merchants and maritime insurance agents. Eventually it becomes Lloyd's of London, the best-known insurance company in the world.

1773
Boston Tea Party. Americans revolt against King George's Tea Tax and coffee is soon after proclaimed the national beverage.

1886
Former wholesale grocer Joel Cheek names his popular coffee blend "Maxwell House" after the hotel in Nashville, TN where it is served.

Early 1900's
In Germany, afternoon coffee becomes a standard occasion. The derogatory term "KaffeeKlatsch" is coined to describe women's gossip at these affairs. Since then the term has broadened to mean relaxed conversation in general.

1920
Prohibition goes into effect in the United States. Coffee sales boom.

1971
Starbucks opens its first store in Seattle's Pike Place public market, creating a frenzy over fresh-roasted whole bean coffee.

1994
Fully Caffeinated Marketing is brewed by the Coolest Bean.