Ethiopian history is one of the oldest in the world, with evidence of human habitation dating back millions of years. The Kingdom of Aksum, which emerged around the 1st century AD, was a major trading empire known for its monumental obelisks and early adoption of Christianity in the 4th century, making Ethiopia one of the first Christian nations. Throughout the centuries, Ethiopia maintained its independence, resisting colonization except for a brief Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including unique languages like Amharic and Oromo, and historical sites such as Lalibela and Gondar.