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Pol Pot Born
Born under the name Saloth Sahr. -
Cambodian Independence
Cambodia becomes an independent country after 90 years of French occupancy.
With freedom of French rule, Communism began to take seed in Cambodia. -
Pol Pot Begins
From 1956 to 1963, Pol Pot studied history, geography, and French literature at a private school. During this time, he was planning a revolution against the government. -
Pol Pot Entering Government
Pot Pol becomes appointed leader for the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK). -
General Lon Nol
General Lon Nol began a military coup while Prince Norodom Sihanouk was out of the country. Prince Norodom allied with Khmer Rouge while Lon Nol allied with United States. General Lon Lol appoints himself as the Cambodian President. -
Loung Ung is born
[https://spark.adobe.com/video/Liin7AjEylSLX]
Loung Ung is born and lives with her middle class family in Phnom Penh. Pa worked under Lon Nol while Ma took care of the family and homelife. -
Khmer Rouge Soldiers
In April, 1975, Khmer Rouge soldiers begin entering Phnom Penh.
People are celebrating and cheering for the soldiers marching in the streets. -
Evacuation and Seven Day Walk
[https://youtu.be/K1_foA2mvTw]
Soldiers force everyone out of Phnom Penh and other large cities. Families carried what they could, even people who couldn't walk. Anyone that remained in the cities would be killed. -
Phnom Penh Take Over
Khmer Rouge officially takes over capital city Phnom Penh. Any person with a government position under General Lon Nol is killed. -
First Settlement - Krang Truop
After walking seven days and nights, Loung's family finally reached the village Krang Truop. For a short time, the family lived with relatives. -
Anglungthmor
The family is relocated from their relatives to the village Anglungthmor. Families from cities were placed on rations while villagers ate plentifully. Most families lived on watery rice and were lucky to have a small chunk of vegetable. -
Labor Camp
The family is forced to relocate to the labor camp, Ro Leap. All clothes are burned. Families are given black clothing.
People from cities were put on 12 hour work days. Only one meal a day - watery rice and vegetables.
The Ung family is slowly being separated and placed in separate labor camps. -
Keav Dies
After Keav is separated from her family, she is placed in an all female work camp. At some point, Keav becomes incredibly ill and asks to go to the hospital. Ma goes to visit her once. The next time the family goes to the hospital, they find Keav dead and her necklace missing. Many girls died of dysentery from unclean food. -
Pa Leaves
Shortly after Keav passes away, two soldiers come to the door and as for Pa to go do work for them.
Ma cries and has everyone say goodbye to Pa. Pa tells everyone that he will see them tomorrow morning. He never returns. -
Pol Pot Ruler
Four Year Plan included killing former civil servants, doctors, teachers, and other educated professions. Anyone who had higher education were taken to the Killing Fields. -
Loung - Child Soldier
Loung is relocated to another camp - a camp for children soldiers.
In August, she is promoted to a child soldier and fighting for the Khmer Rouge. -
Vietnam v. Cambodia
War between the two countries broke out as a result of tension in government. -
The Last Family Meeting
Loung, Meng, Chou, and Kim are permitted to visit their mother and baby sister at the hospital. Her mother and sister were very ill - the two were permitted to leave the camp and go to the hospital.
This was the last time Loung would see her mother and her sister Geak. -
The Wall
Missiles and gun fire are everywhere. People are fleeing as quickly as they can. Ma and Geak are nowhere to be found, but Loung is reunited with her other siblings. -
First Foster Family
After being homeless and living off scraps, the siblings find refuge with another family. The family is abusive and holds rations. -
Youn Invasion
Youn from Vietnam invade Cambodia to stop Khmer Rouge. -
Bat Dang
The siblings relocate to their uncle's home - Bat Dang. -
Escape from Cambodia to Vietnam
Fearing for safety, Loung and Meng are smuggled in boats to Vietnam. -
Vietnam Victory
Khmer Rouge is defeated in several battles. Vietnam helps to overthrow Pol Pot. Cambodia is to be governed peacefully. -
Lam Sing Refugee Camp
Loung and Meng met with their other siblings and lived in Vietnam for four months. The Ung family was sponsored by a family in Vermont to live in the United States. -
The Aftermath
The Khmer Rouge fell out of power in 1979, however, some continued to fight back.
1.7 million Cambodians died from starvation or murder.
The aftermath of the Khmer Rouge left people with poverty.
Cambodia is still experiencing the shock and it continues to ripple through generations.(https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/633/seeking-the-truth-of-the-khmer-rouge/) -
Pol Pot Death
Pol Pot's death in 1998 finally brought an end to Khmer Rouge. To this day, members of Pol Pot's scheme are being brought to trial for atrocities committed.
https://spark.adobe.com/video/IWAx7dpTZvAQT
