diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 43877140e..83a64e514 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ LGPL.txt                    | one proposed license model
 NXDL_VERSION                | the current NXDL version number
 README.txt                  | README file
 README.make.txt             | how to build the documentation
+release-history.md          | starting from v3.3
 applications/               | NXDL files for applications and instrument defs
 base_classes/               | NXDL files for components
 contributed_definitions/    | NXDL files from the community
diff --git a/release-history.md b/release-history.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e2673625c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/release-history.md
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+
+# Release History
+
+(starting from v3.3)
+
+## v3.3
+
+### Base Classes
+
+#### new additions
+#### changes
+#### work-in-progress
+#### items removed
+#### items marked as deprecated
+
+### Application Definitions
+
+#### new additions
+#### changes
+#### work-in-progress
+#### items removed
+#### items marked as deprecated
+
+### Contributed Definitions
+
+#### new additions
+#### changes
+#### work-in-progress
+#### items removed
+#### items marked as deprecated
+
+### NXDL (XML) Schema
+
+#### new additions
+#### changes
+#### work-in-progress
+#### items removed
+#### items marked as deprecated
+
+### Documentation
+
+#### new additions
+#### changes
+#### work-in-progress
+#### items removed
+#### items marked as deprecated
+
+### Other
+
+#### new additions
+#### changes
+#### work-in-progress
+#### items removed
+#### items marked as deprecated