Recent Event Highlights: Aung San Suu Kyi Released, New National Symbols Announced, Election Date Set, Election Laws Announced, Suu Kyi House Arrest Extended, Referendum Date Set, and 22 more...
Created by voaweb on Oct 22, 2010
Last updated: 02/01/12 at 12:05 PM
Burma’s parliament names former general and prime minister Thein Sein as the country’s president in the new civilian government. He resigned from the military to lead the Union Solidarity and Development Party to contest a controversial November election.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Burmas-Parliament-Elects-Former-Prime-Minister-and-Military-Loyalist-as-President-115266479.html
The Burmese parliament opens its first session in more than 20 years, following elections in November. Former military officers or their allies hold more than 80 percent of the seats in the legislature.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Burmas-Military-Opens-Parliament----.html
The military government releases democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. She has spent 15 of the past 21 years under detention.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-Released-from-House-Arrest-107691349.html
Burma holds a parliamentary election for the first time since 1990.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Rangoon-Diary--Burmas-Elections-107038963.html
The government unveils a new national seal, anthem and flag, which features yellow, green and red horizontal stripes with a large white star in the middle.
The military regime announces a ban on all foreign journalists and observers from overseeing the polls.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Burma-Bars-Foreign-Observers-Journalists-From-Elections-105167194.html
The government says voting has been cancelled in several eastern border areas where the political climate “is not conducive to free and fair elections.”
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Burma-Excludes-Thousands-103126854.html
The government announces the parliamentary election will take place on Nov. 7, 2010. It will be the first election since 1990.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/east-pacific/Burma-Announces-Date-of-Parliamentary-Elections-100604244.html
The government deadline passes for existing political parties to re-register for the upcoming election. The National League for Democracy refuses to re-register and is effectively disbanded. Some NLD members form a new party to run in the election, called the National Democratic Force (NDF).
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Burma-Opposition-Members-Split-to-Form-New-Party-Contest-Controversial-Elections--93065454.html
Prime Minister Thein Sein and several officials resign from their military posts to run as civilian candidates and form a new political party - the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Burmese-Generals-Look-to-Election--101654618.html
The main opposition party National League for Democracy, which won the 1990 election, decides to boycott the 2010 election because of “unfair and unjust” election laws.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Burmas-Opposition-Democracy-Party-Rejects-Election-89390522.html
Government officially annuls results of the 1990 election, saying the vote breached election laws that were published 19 years later.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Burmas-Election-Preparations-Undemocratic-say-Rights-Exile-Groups-88556157.html
The government announces election laws, including one that bans those who are serving prison terms, such as Aung San Suu Kyi, from participating.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Burma-Election-Rules-Requires-Opposition-Party-to-Expel-Democracy-Leader---87212142.html
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is charged with violating the terms of her house arrest in May after American John Yettaw swam across the lake to her house and stayed there for two nights. She is sentenced to an additional 18 months for detention. Yettaw is arrested and later deported.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2009-08-11-voa6-68705662.html
Referendum on new constitution takes place. The government says 92 percent of voters approved the constitution.
The military government announces a referendum on the new constitution will be held in May, followed by "multi-party democratic elections" in 2010.
Increased fuel prices spark monk-led demonstrations. Protests are crushed by soldiers, killing at least 31 people.
Prime Minister Khin Nyunt announces a seven-step road map to democracy which includes "free and fair" elections to be held under a new constitution. However, he doesn't give any timetable.
The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) changes its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), which includes former SLORC chairman Than Shwe and intelligence chief Khin Nyunt.
A national convention on a new constitution is abruptly adjourned after some delegates oppose a clause stating that the military must have the leading political role. The constitutional convention resumes in Feb. 2005 after 1 17-month delay.
Senior General Than Shwe becomes head of the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and prime minister. He announces plans for a new constitution.
While under house arrest Aung San Suu Kyi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent struggle for democracy.
The National League for Democracy - the main opposition party led by Aung San Suu Kyi - wins a landslide victory in the first multi-party general election since 1960. The military refuses to hand over power to the elected civilian government.
Aung San Suu Kyi, a leader of the opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD) and daughter of independence hero Gen. Aung San, is placed under house arrest for "endangering the state." Since then she has spent many of her years in detention.
The military seizes power after pro-democracy protests. Thousands are killed during the uprising. Thousands of civilians flee to the Thailand-Burma border to avoid arrest and torture.
The government announces demonetization in Sep. 1987, triggering student-led protests that are violently put down by the military. Bloodshed during March and June 1988 sparks widespread protests and demonstrations on Aug. 8, later known as the 8888 Uprising. Thousands are killed during the military's crackdown on protesters.
Ne Win steps down amid widespread anti-government protests. In an unexpected televised announcement he promises to hold a multi-party election.
The government refuses to hold a state funeral for U Thant, the former UN Secretary-General. Rangoon University students stage an anti-government demonstration. The military responds to the protest by arresting and killing many of them.
Students from Rangoon University stage a peaceful protest against the coup. The military attacks demonstrators, killing scores of students. The next day, the army blows up the Student Union building.
General Ne Win launches a military coup. He adopts "the Burmese Way to Socialism." He forms a single-party state, suppressing human rights and banning press freedom.
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