Independence of Cambodia

  • Indpendence

    Cambodia declares independece from France and becomes the Kingdom of Cambodia.
  • Breaking Off the US

    Head of State Sihanouk, breaks off relations with the US.
  • Campaign Pursuing South Vietnam

    Sihanouk allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in pursuance of the US-backed government in South Vietnam.
  • Secret Bombing

    The US begins a secret bombing campaign aganist North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil.
  • Sihanouk Gets Deposed

    Prime Minister Lon Nol overthrows Sihanouk in coup. Lon sends the army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia.
  • Csmbodia Year Zero

    Lon Nol is overthrown by Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot occupy Phnom Penh. Sihanouk briefly becomes head of state. Then the country is renamed Kampuchea.
  • Country Re-Named Again

    The country is re-named Democratice Kampuchea. Sihanouk resigns, Khieu Samphan becomes head of state, Pol Pot is prime minister.
  • Fighting

    A fight breaks out between them and Vietnam.
  • Getting Invaded

    Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning assault.
  • Taking Pon Penh

    Vietnamese forces take Pon Penh. Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to the border region with Thailand.
  • New Prime Minister

    Hun Sen becomes prime minister.
  • Re-Named Again

    The country is re-named the state of Cambodia. Hun Sen tries to attract foreign investment by abandoning socialism.
  • Pol Pot

    Pol Pot dies in his jungle hideout.
  • East and West Cambodia

    First bridge across the Mekong River opens. That linked east and west Cambodia.
  • Problems With Thailand

    Serious upset with Thailand over comments attributed to a Thai TV star that the Angkor Wat temple complex was stolen from Thailand. Hun Sen Cambodian People's Party wins general elections, but fails to secure sufficient majority to govern alone.
  • Being Re-Elected

    After nearly a year of political deadlock, prime Minister Hun Sen is re-elected.
  • Sam Rainsy Sentenced

    Sam Rainsy is convicted in absentia of defaming Hun Sen and he is sentenced to 18 months in prison.
  • Hun Sen's Ruling

    Hun Sen's ruling CPP claims victory in parliamentary elections criticised by EU monitors. Cambodia and Thailand move troops to disputed land near Preah Vihear temple.
  • Soldiers Dying

    Two Cambodian soldiers die in an exchange fire with Thai troops in the disputed area. Thai soldier dies later from wounds.
  • Kaing Guek Eav Goes On Trial

    Former Khmer Rouge leader Kaing Guek Eav known as Duch goes on trial on charges over the murder and torture of thousands of people as head of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison camp.
  • Duch is Found Guilty

    Comrade Duch is found guilty and is given a 35-year sentence.
  • Thai Soldiers Spying

    Tensions rise as Cambodia charge two Thai soldiers for spying after they were arrested for crossing the disputed border.
  • Norodom Sihanouk Dies

    Former King, Norodom Sihanouk, dies of a heart attack. He was 89 years old.
  • Hun Sen Gets Another Five Years

    Mass protests in Phnom Penh over contestes election results. Parliament approves a new five-year term for Hun Sen.
  • Hun Sen

    Hun Sen marks 30 years in power of Cambodia.