History

Montenegro has not always had the same name, it first became known as Montenegro in the 15th century. Over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire. After World War I, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, these then became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. 

At the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser union of Serbia and Montenegro.

 

In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on 3 June 2006 and so Montenegro became the 192nd member of the United Nations.