Kyrgyzstan By tinajonas Jan 1, 1916 (1916 - 1924) Part of the Soviet Union Period: Jan 1, 1916 to Mar 20, 2012 KYRGYZSTAN/SOVIET UNION TO KYRGYZSTAN/NOW Jan 1, 1928 (1928-1932) Kyrgyzs forced to give up Nomadic Ways Jan 1, 1930 1930s Joseph Stalin's purges remove those he distrusts Jan 1, 1939 (1939 - 1945) Soviet factories moved to Kyrgyzstan Jan 1, 1950 (1950 - 1980) Revival of Kyrgyz culture and Islamic practices Mar 20, 1972 1972 Turan Tiger, the last of the species killed Mar 20, 1985 1985 Kyrgyz Red Book published addressing the topis of endangered species. 15% mammals & 10% birds threatened with extinction Jan 1, 1990 1990 Soviet Union begins to collapse Oct 1, 1990 1990 Askar Akaev becomes President Mar 20, 1991 1991 Government announced Kyrgyz as official language Aug 31, 1991 1991 Kyrgyzstan declares Independence May 20, 2000 2000 Government added Russian as a second official language Jan 1, 2003 2003 2200th Anniversary of Kyrgyz Statehood Jan 1, 2005 2005 Askar Akaev is forced from office.