M.A. Thompson establishes Thompson Cigar Company in Key West, Florida, as a manufacturer and distributor of fine cigars.

Albert Einstein's Theory of Relativity is published. Alexander Graham Bell conducts the first transcontinental call.

The United States joins the Allies in World War I. The war ends with the Versailles Treaty and the formation of the League of Nations.

Thompson sends cigars to the troops overseas, a practice that remains today.

After hurricanes decimate most cigar factories in Key West, M.A. Thompson moves his factory to Ybor City, Tampa, known as the "Cigar Capital of the World." He brings a number of employees with him.

The 19th Amendment is ratified giving women the right to vote.

M.A. Thompson relocates his headquarters to N. Edison Avenue, near downtown Tampa.

Thompson acquired Postal Permit #1 in the city of Tampa, which it still holds today.

The stock market crashes and brings on the Great Depression, which would not end until around 1939.

Thompson accounts for about 25% of the city's postal receipts. The Standing Order Club begins, the precursor to today's 250 Bonus Club.

The Original Tom Timmins

Germany, Japan and Italy withdraw from the League of Nations.

M.A. Thompson moves his factory to Bartow, Florida where it will remain until 1960.

World War II breaks out when Germany invades Poland and Great Britain declares war on Germany.

Thompson celebrates its 25-year Anniversary.

The United States enters World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Once again, Thompson sends cigars to our soldiers in all theaters of war.

World War II officially ends.

The United States enters The Korean War, which began in 1950 and would last until 1953.

Continuing the Thompson tradition, troops receive cigars.

Thompson celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

The microwave oven and first TV remote control are invented.

Thompson Cigar Company is sold to Robert Franzblau who opts not to purchase the Bartow factory. Franzblau switches cigar production to local Tampa factories like M & N Cigars and Gradiaz-Annis, which will make cigars under the Thompson brand. Both Stanford Newman and Morton Annis will serve as Franzblau's mentors for many years. Newman bought Cuesta Rey and Annis owned Gold Label and Macanudo, which he eventually sold to General Cigar Company.

In October 1960, the United States imposed the Cuban Embargo, preventing the United States from importing Cuban cigars and tobacco. Cuba continues to export elsewhere in the world. Tobacco farmers and cigar makers flee Cuba, smuggling seeds with them and re-planting them in their new adopted homelands, including the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras. To this day there is still Cuban-seed tobacco grown in these countries.

The company continues to sell "clear Havana" cigars manufactured in Tampa until its Cuban inventory is used up.

Thompson celebrates 50th Anniversary.

The Beatles release Help and Rubber Soul

Thompson starts offering pipes for sale; specifically ceramic pipes from Holland and briar pipes from Italy.

Thompson obtains UPS Permit #2.

Thompson's first toll-free number is installed.

The first Thompson Cigar Company catalogs are mailed out. Until now, Thompson used letter and postcard-based mailings.

Sony introduces the Walkman, which cost $200.

Owner Robert Franzblau moves Thompson to its present-day headquarters at Hangar Court, which includes offices, a call center, a large humidor and a counter in the lobby, which sells cigars.

Thompson starts offering its first national brands. Up until now it only offered Thompson brands.

Thompson's first website goes up with two pages.

In response to the cigar boom, new Thompson Cigar brands are introduced including La Paloma, Belmondo and Iguana.

The cigar boom explodes with the help of Marvin Shanken, publisher of Cigar Aficionado and Wine Spectator. Shanken creates cachet around cigars and adds a cool factor by putting celebrities on the covers of his magazines, smoking cigars. Cigars became the symbol of success and the industry flourished, which many believe continues to this day.

Thompson sends cigars to troops in Afghanistan.

The company becomes a sponsor for Southeastern Guide Dogs.

Thompson's website with a .net address goes up. The company sends cigars to soldiers in Iraq.

The first camera phone was invented.

Thompson's in-house humidor is enlarged to 15,000 cubic feet.

Thompson's new web platform debuts. Social media platforms are developed and introduced with the first facebook posting occurring on June 13.

The company becomes a sponsor for the Tampa Bay History Center.

The company becomes a sponsor for Thanks For The Troops Golf Tournament.

The company becomes a sponsor for Paws For Patriots.

Thompson celebrates its 95th Anniversary.

The company becomes a sponsor for Cigars and Guitars.

Thompson Cigar's Retail Store is enlarged and refurnished.

Thompson Cigar receives Proclamation from Mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, declaring May 30, 2015 "Thompson Cigar Company Day".

Thompson celebrates its 100th Anniversary as the world's oldest cigar mail order company, and the 55th year under the leadership of Robert Franzblau. Happy centennial celebration to us!

The Cuban Embargo's restrictions are partially lifted. Diplomatic relations with Cuba are normalized and travelers can now bring $100 worth of Cuban cigars into the U.S.