Accellaos

Major Events in Lao History

By shutupcalvinyolomoneyswag

  • Genesis

    Country of Laos becomes a state of property to the French, until 1893, when brieflly occupied by the Japanese until the end of World War II.

  • The Resume

    French rule resumes.

  • 1st Year of Freedom, 1st Problem to Come

    Laos gains full independence as a constitutional monarchy. Civil war breaks out between royalists and the communist group, the Pathet Lao.

  • 60's Bombings

    Laos frequently bombed by the United States in an attempt to destroy North Vietnamese sanctuaries and to rupture the supply lines known as the Ho Chi Minh trail. It's estimated that more bombs were dropped on Laos than were used during the whole of World War II.

  • The Divide

    Laos is divided between communists and royalists.

  • Democratic Republic

    The Lao People's Democratic Republic is proclaimed, with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the only legal political party. Kaysone Phomvihane becomes prime minister. "Socialist transformation" of the economy is launched.

  • Food Shortages

    Food shortages and the flight of hundreds of thousands of refugees to Thailand leads the government to modify its approach. Some private enterprise within agriculture is permitted.

  • Build a Bridge

    "Friendship bridge" over the Mekong linking Laos and Thailand is opened.

  • Do You Even Lift?

    US lifts its 20-year aid embargo.

  • Bomb Blasts

    A series of bomb blasts hits the capital - the authorities blame anti-government groups based abroad.

  • Hillary's Visit

    Hillary Clinton becomes the first US secretary of state to visit Laos for 57 years. The legacy of the Vietnam War and a controversial dam project are on her agenda.