Serbian history dates back to the early medieval period, with the establishment of the Principality of Serbia in the 9th century. The region became a significant political entity under the rule of Stefan Nemanja, who founded the Nemanjić dynasty. Serbia reached its peak in the 14th century, becoming a powerful kingdom before facing invasions from the Ottoman Empire. In the 19th century, Serbia gained independence from the Ottomans, leading to the formation of the modern Kingdom of Serbia. The country played a crucial role in the Balkan Wars and World War I, ultimately becoming part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes in 1918, which later became Yugoslavia.