| 1880 |
A small group of Russian Jews petition Czar Alexander II for permission to establish a fund for the aid of needy Jews (Society for the Promotion of Handicrafts and Agriculture Among the Jews). |
| 1881-1906 |
More than one million rubles is raised; 12,000 students are trained in manual skills. |
1914-1919
 |
ORT's cooperative workshops, soup kitchens and credit offices help keep thousands from starvation during World War I. |
| 1921 |
The World ORT Union is established. Within a year, the organization includes 54 affiliate groups in Eastern Europe, nine in Western Europe and one in the United States. |
| 1927 |
Women's American ORT is established in Brooklyn, N.Y. |
| 1930s |
Before World War II, ORT programs serve more than 400,000 people. |
1946-1951
 |
After World War II, more than 80,000 displaced persons are trained in ORT schools and classes. |
| 1948 |
The State of Israel is established. |
| 1949 |
ORT Israel begins operations and expands rapidly. Communist governments force the closing of ORT programs in Eastern Europe. |
| 1950 |
ORT begins operations in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Iran. |
1959
 |
The Syngalowski Center in Tel Aviv is built by Women's American ORT. |
| 1960s |
The influx of hundreds of thousands of North African Jews places increasing demands upon ORT France. |
1970s
 |
Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay become major sites of operation for ORT Latin America. |
| 1976 |
The ORT School of Engineering opens at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. |
1977
 |
Bramson ORT Technical Institute opens in New York City. |
| 1980 |
ORT celebrates its 100th anniversary. |
| 1985 |
The Los Angeles ORT Technical Institute (LAOTI) opens. |
| 1989 |
The ORT Braude International Institute of Technology in Karmiel, Israel, is dedicated with a $10-million grant from WAO. |
1990
 |
After a 60-year absence, ORT returns to its roots in the Soviet Union with a new school in Moscow. The Zarem/Golde ORT Technical Institute opens in Chicago |
| 1992 |
An advanced electronics and automation laboratory is opened at ORT India in Bombay. ORT continues to function as the educational and cultural center of the Indian Jewish community. |
| 1993 |
ORT Israel graduates its 400,000th student, an emigrant from the former Soviet Union. |
| 1994-1995 |
ORT facilities are dedicated in Moscow and St. Petersburg |
1996
 |
The ORT-STEP Institute in South Africa graduates its first class, with Nelson Mandela conferring the degrees. |
1997
 |
Women's American ORT celebrates its 70th year. |
