Burma's Timeline

I read Ko Htike's blog this morning and found his blog post, Myanmar then and now most intriguing. It is quite appalling to see the downward spiral of such a country. In a mere 60 years, Burma has become one of the richest to one of the poorest and the most corrupt country in Southeast Asia. It makes sad and so angry to hear this. We must do something... Below is a copy of the timeline of Burma






Myanmar timeline

1948 – gains independence from Britain with nationalist leader U Nu as prime minister

1962 – Coup led by General Ne Win overthrows democratically elected government, establishes "Burmese Way to Socialism"

1974 – New constitution transfers military power to People's Assembly led by Ne Win

1988 – Military crushes pro-democracy student demonstration, thousands reportedly killed and hundreds jailed.

1989 – State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) declares martial law, arrests pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, changes country name to Myanmar

1990 – Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy records landslide victory in national elections, but military refuses to recognise results

1992 – Reclusive General Tan Shwe takes over as head of military government

1995 – Aung San Suu Kyi released from house arrest after six years. She is repeatedly placed under house arrest later

1997 – Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) admits Myanmar into regional grouping

2003 – PM Khin Nyunt proposes new constitution as part of "road map" to democracy

2004 – Government and major ethnic rebel movement Karen National Union call a truce

2006 – Nation's capital moved from Yangon to remote town of Naypyidaw

2007 – Sudden massive hike in fuel prices triggers biggest show of public dissent since 1988. After weeks of protests military launches violent crackdown against demonstrators, sparking world outrage.

Source: Al Jazeera and agencies