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Gov timeline: Mayanmar (Burma) road to democracy

By Danielbuku
  • Start of democratic movement in Myanmar

    Start of democratic movement in Myanmar

    Gen. Saw Maung takes over in another military coup. Aung San Suu Kyi co-founds and leads the National League for Democracy.
  • Democratic activist arrested

    Democratic activist arrested

    1989: Burma changes its name in English to Myanmar and the name of the capital from Rangoon to Yangon. Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest for charges of trying to divide the military, charges she denies.
  • Democratic league wins

    Democratic league wins

    1990: Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party wins more than 80 percent of the legislative seats in the polls, the first free elections in the country in nearly 30 years. The junta refuses to recognize the results.

  • Joins ASEAN

    Myanmar joins ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

  • U.N lends a helping hand.

    U.N. General Assembly approves a resolution condemning the government crackdown and asking for the release of political protesters.

  • Military leaders resign

    Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein and several other ministers resign from their military posts in order to participate in upcoming elections.
  • First election held

    First election held

    Myanmar will hold elections on November 7, in the military junta-led nation's first vote since 1990.