Southeast Asia

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Timeline: Southeast Asia

Years: c. 60,000 years ago - 2010	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191735998

Jump to a year:

BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 60,000 years ago	The first human inhabitants of Australia make the crossing from southeast Asia Go to Pacific Islands in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Science Migration Asia East Asia Australia and Oceania Society Australia
c. 2000 BCE	The red jungle fowl is domesticated as poultry in southeast Asia Go to junglefowl noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Social and domestic Asia East Asia Society
207 BCE	A delegate from imperial China establishes the kingdom of Nam-Viet with himself as king Go to Dong Son Culture in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia East Asia Vietnam
c. 100	Theravada Buddhism, strong in south India and Sri Lanka, travels with traders through southeast Asia Go to Theravada Buddhism in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE 2nd century Religion Commerce and industry Asia East Asia South Asia Sri Lanka Society
c. 1150	The city of Angkor and the great temple of Angkor Wat are created by the Khmer dynasty in Cambodia Go to Angkor in A Dictionary of Asian Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia East Asia Vietnam
1445	A Muslim ruler is established in Malacca, forming the first of many Muslim dynasties in the Malay archipelago Go to Malacca in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Islam Asia East Asia
1511	The Portuguese take control of Malacca, in the Malay peninsula, as a base for trade further east Go to Malacca in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia East Asia Europe Society Empires
1512	The Portuguese make treaties in the Moluccas (or Spice Islands), to trade in cloves and nutmeg Go to Moluccas in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia East Asia Europe Society Empires
1521	Ferdinand Magellan is killed in the Philippines, in a skirmish with natives Go to Magellan, Ferdinand (c. 1480–1521) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Exploration Asia East Asia Society
1557	The Portuguese establish a trading post on Macao, a small peninsula off the south coast of China Go to Macao in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia East Asia Europe Society Empires
1571	The Spanish governor general, Legazpi, makes his capital at Manila,and names the surrounding islands the Philippines after Philip II Go to Philippines in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Asia East Asia Europe Empires The Philippines and its governor general are placed under the authority of the Spanish governor of New Spain, ruling from Mexico City Go to Philippines in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Spanish empire Asia East Asia Empires Latin America Mexico
1595	The first Dutch expedition round the Cape reaches Java and secures trading agreements Go to Java in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Commerce and industry Dutch empire Asia East Asia Society Empires
c. 1625	The Dutch gradually exclude the Portuguese from the immensely lucrative trade in cloves from the Spice Islands (or Moluccas) Go to Molucca Islands in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia East Asia Europe Society Empires
1641	The Dutch expel the Portuguese from their trading posts in Malacca Go to Malacca in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia East Asia Europe Society Empires
c. 1650	Hindu princes and brahmin priests withdraw from Java to Bali, turning the island into the last outpost of Hinduism in southeast Asia Go to Bali in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Religion Asia East Asia To protect their market, the Dutch destroy all clove trees in the Moluccas except on two islands, Amboina and Ternate Go to Molucca Islands in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 17th century Politics Conquest and colonization Commerce and industry Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Europe Society Empires
1858	Napoleon III sends forces to capture the port of Da Nang, beginning the French colonization of Vietnam Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Asia East Asia Europe Empires
1863	France establishes a protectorate over Cambodia Go to French Indo-China in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Asia East Asia Europe Empires
1883	Eruption of the volcano on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa sends six cubic miles of debris into the atmosphere and causes a huge tsunami Go to Krakatoa in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Social and domestic Asia East Asia Society
1887	The imperial government in China formally acknowledges Portuguese territorial rights in Macao Go to Macao in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia East Asia China Europe Empires France brings Cambodia and Vietnam into a federation of protectorates under the title French Indochina Go to Indochina in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Asia East Asia Europe Empires
1893	France incorporates Laos within French Indochina Go to Indochina in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 French empire Asia East Asia Europe Empires
1898	The Philippines declare independence from the colonial power, Spain, with whom they are at war Go to Philippines in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Spanish empire Asia East Asia Empires The agreement ending the Spanish-American War includes Spain selling the Philippines to the USA for a payment of $20 million Go to Paris, Treaty of (1898) in The Oxford Companion to American Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire US presidents Asia East Asia Europe Empires Rulers and politicians North America United States
1927	Achmed Sukarno becomes the first chairman of the new Indonesian Nationalist Party Go to Sukarno, Achmad (b. 6 June 1901) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia
1938	Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) builds the Burma Road as a supply route Go to Burma Road in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Technology Engineering Asia East Asia
1941	May 19 - the Vietminh is founded as a guerrilla force to liberate Vietnam from the Japanese, and Ho Chi Minh soon emerges as the leader Go to Vietminh in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Asia East Asia Vietnam Wars since 1900 July 26 - Roosevelt appoints Douglas MacArthur commander of US forces in the Far East Go to MacArthur, Douglas (b. 26 Jan. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 North America United States December 8 - within hours of Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircraft attack the Philippines and destroy half the available US planes Go to Clark Field, attack on in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 December 10 - Japanese planes sink the British battleship Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser Repulse off the coast of Malaya Go to Malayan campaign (Dec. 1941–Feb. 1942) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 December 28 - Burmese politician Aung San raises a Burma Independence Army in Thailand to support the imminent Japanese invasion of his country Go to Thakin in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900
1942	January - Aung San's Burma Independence Army enters Burma as part of the Japanese invasion Go to Burma Campaigns (January 1942–August 1945) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 January - before the end of the month the Japanese control the whole of Malaya Go to Malayan campaign (Dec. 1941–Feb. 1942) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 February - an Indian National Army is formed among Indian soldiers captured by the Japanese, with the purpose of evicting the British from India Go to Indian National Army in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 February 15 - Singapore falls to the continuing Japanese onslaught in southeast Asia Go to Singapore, fall of in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 May - after losing the Philippines to the Japanese, Douglas MacArthur declares 'I shall return' Go to MacArthur, Douglas (1880–1964) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 May - Burma becomes the last in the series of important southeast Asian territories to fall into Japanese hands Go to Pacific Campaigns (1941–45) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 May - William Slim gets the remaining British forces back to India from Burma, in a fighting withdrawal that lasts two months Go to Slim, William Joseph, 1st Viscount (b. 6 Aug. 1891) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900
1943	February 9 - Orde Wingate and his Chindits launch a guerrilla campaign behind the Japanese lines in Burma Go to Wingate, Orde (1903–44) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 October - British admiral Louis Mountbatten is appointed to head the new Southeast Asia Command, with his headquarters in Delhi Go to Mountbatten, Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900–79) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Asia East Asia Europe Wars since 1900 Britain October - British general William Slim is appointed to command the Fourteenth Army, formed specifically for the campaign to recover Burma Go to Burma Campaigns (Jan. 1942–May 1945) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 October 24 - Subhash Chandra Bose, as leader of the Indian National Army, declares war on Britain Go to Indian National Army in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900
1944	March - a volunteer force, known as Merrill's Marauders, is commanded by Frank Merrill in US operations against the Japanese in Burma Go to Merrill's Marauders in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 March-June - William Slim secures the first Allied victories in the Burma campaign, at Imphal and Kohima in northeast India Go to Imphal, battle of (1945) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Battles Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 September 20 - Douglas MacArthur lands US troops on Leyte as the first step in recovering the Philippines Go to Philippines Campaign (1944–45) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 October 25 - victory over Japan in a massive 2-day battle at Leyte Gulf assures US recovery of Philippines Go to Leyte Gulf, Battle of (Oct. 1944) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Battles US presidents Asia East Asia Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 November 28 - Allied bombs destroy the strategic bridge in Thailand over the River Kwai, built by the Japanese using prisoners of war as slave labour Go to Burma–Thailand railway in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900
1945	Achmed Sukarno makes a unilateral declaration of Indonesian independence, and leads the subsequent struggle against the Dutch Go to Indonesian Revolution (1945–49) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization Dutch empire European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Europe Empires March 3 - after a four-month siege of the city Douglas MacArthur returns to Manila, from which he was ejected in 1942 by the Japanese Go to Philippines campaign (Oct. 1944–July 1945) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 March 20 - William Slim drives the Japanese from Mandalay and moves on south to take Rangoon Go to Mandalay, battle of in The Oxford Companion to World War II (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 March 27 - Aung San's army, now named the Burma National Army, changes sides in a surprise move and attacks the Japanese Go to Aung San (1914–47) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century War Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 August 19 - with the surrender of the Japanese, Vietminh guerrillas seize the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi Go to Vietminh in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Communism Conquest and colonization War Cold war Asia East Asia Vietnam Wars since 1900 September 2 - Ho Chi Minh proclaims the democratic republic of Vietnam, independent of the colonial power, France Go to Ho Chi Minh (1890–1969) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s Second World War 20th century Politics Communism Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 French empire Cold war Asia East Asia Vietnam Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1946	Aung San's party, the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, wins a landslide victory in the Burmese election Go to Aung San (1915–1947) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia The Indochina War breaks out in Vietnam between the French colonial forces and the Vietminh Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 French empire Cold war Asia East Asia Vietnam Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1947	33-year old Aung San, prime minister of Burma, and six of his ministers are assassinated during a cabinet meeting Go to Aung San (1915–1947) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia East Asia
1949	The Dutch concede independence for Indonesia with Achmed Sukarno as president Go to Indonesia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Dutch empire Asia East Asia Empires
1953	Cambodia wins independence from the colonial power, France Go to Cambodia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1954	Hungarian photographer Robert Capa is killed by a land mine in Vietnam Go to Capa, Robert (1913–1954) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century War Asia East Asia Vietnam The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends with the surrender to the Vietminh of 12,000 French troops Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century War Battles Asia East Asia Vietnam The French abandon Vietnam, leaving the country divided at the seventeenth parallel Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century War French empire Asia East Asia Vietnam Empires In an armistice ending the Indochina War, France acknowledges the independence of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam Go to Indochina War (1946–54) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Europe Empires
1955	Norodom Sihanouk abdicates as king of Cambodia and becomes the country's prime minister Go to Sihanouk, Norodom (b. 31 Oct. 1922) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia East Asia With US backing, South Vietnam declares itself an independent republic Go to Vietnam in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia Vietnam
1957	Abdul Rahman Putra becomes the first prime minister of independent Malaya Go to Abdul Rahman Putra, Tunku (b. 8 Feb. 1903) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics British empire Asia East Asia Empires
1959	Lee Kuan Yew becomes the first prime minister of the newly independent state of Singapore Go to Lee Kuan Yew (16 Sept. 1923) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Asia East Asia Europe Empires Achmed Sukarno assumes dictatorial powers, operating an Indonesian policy officially known as Guided Democracy Go to Sukarno, Achmad (b. 6 June 1901) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1960	The Vietcong, or NLF, is formed as a guerrilla force to liberate South Vietnam from the US-backed government Go to Vietcong in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Communism War US presidents Cold war Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900
1962	General Ne Win seizes power in Burma, beginning decades of brutal military rule Go to Ne Win (b. 14 May 1911) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1963	Saloth Sar, changing his name to Pol Pot, begins to build up the Cambodian Communist party and Khmer Rouge Go to Pol Pot (b. 19 May 1928) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion War Cold war Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 Malaysia, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah form the Federation of Malaysia Go to Malaysia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1964	A reported incident in the Gulf of Tonkin triggers US intervention against North Vietnam, in a significant step towards the Vietnam War Go to Gulf of Tonkin incident (1964) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War US presidents Cold war Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 North America United States
1965	US President Lyndon Johnson launches a regular bombing campaign against North Vietnam Go to Vietnam War in The Oxford Companion to the Politics of the World (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War US presidents Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians North America United States The Vietnam War enters a new dimension with the deployment of US ground troops in the country Go to Vietnam War in The Oxford Companion to the Politics of the World (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War US presidents Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians North America United States Australia sends a first contingent of 1500 troops to fight in Vietnam Go to Vietnam War in The Oxford Companion to Australian History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Asia East Asia Vietnam Australia and Oceania Australia Singapore leaves the Federation of Malaysia to become again an independent state Go to Singapore in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia Ferdinand Marcos wins a landslide victory in the Philippines presidential election Go to Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin (b. 11 Sept. 1917) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1966	Suharto forces the Indonesian president, Achmed Sukarno, to hand over to him all executive powers Go to Suharto, Mohamed (1921–2008) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1968	The Vietcong launch widespread attacks on South Vietnamese cities during the Tet (lunar new year) holiday Go to Tet Offensive (1968) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Asia East Asia Vietnam US soldiers massacre hundreds of unarmed civilians in the Vietnamese village of My Lai Go to My Lai. in The Oxford Companion to United States History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Asia East Asia Vietnam Raden Suharto is elected president, formalizing his already de facto succession to Sukarno as the Indonesian dictator Go to Suharto, Raden (1921–2008) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1970	Norodom Sihanouk is removed from power in Cambodia in a US-supported coup led by General Lon Nol Go to Lon Nol (b. 13 Nov. 1913) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics War Cold war Asia East Asia Wars since 1900 President Nixon sends US troops into Cambodia to destroy Vietminh bases Go to Cambodia, invasion of in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War US presidents Asia East Asia Rulers and politicians North America United States
1971	US and South Vietnamese troops cross the border to invade Laos Go to Laos, raid into in The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War Asia East Asia Vietnam
1972	Ferdinand Marcos declares martial law in the Philippines, citing the danger of a Communist takeover Go to Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin (11 Sept. 1917) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1973	The Paris Peace Accords end the US combat role in Vietnam, with nothing achieved and millions dead Go to Paris Peace Accords (27 Jan. 1973) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War US presidents Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians North America United States The last US troops leave Vietnam, ending American involvement in a continuing war between the north and south of the country Go to Vietnam War (1964–75) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War US presidents Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians
1975	The South Vietnamese capital, Saigon, is taken by North Vietnamese forces Go to Saigon, fall of (30 Apr. 1975) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War US presidents Asia East Asia Vietnam Rulers and politicians South Vietnam surrenders, as President Duong Van Minh broadcasts an order to all South Viernames forces to lay down their arms Go to Vietnam War (1964–75) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War Asia East Asia Vietnam Khmer Rouge guerrillas, led by Pol Pot, take Phnom Penh and launch a genocidal reign of terror in Cambodia Go to Khmer Rouge in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Asia East Asia The invasion of East Timor by Indonesia begins decades of guerrilla resistance and brutal repression Go to Timor Leste in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Asia East Asia
1978	Vietnamese forces invade Cambodia, driving out Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge Go to Cambodia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia Vietnam
1983	Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino is assassinated at Manila International Airport Go to Aquino, Benigno ‘Ninoy’ (b. 1932) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia East Asia
1986	Corazón Aquino, widow of the assassinated Benigno Aquino, stands against Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines presidential election Go to Aquino, Corazón Maria (25 Jan. 1933) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia After attempting to rig the presidential election to defeat Corazón Aquino, Ferdinand Marcos flees from the Philippines to exile in Hawaii Go to Marcos, Ferdinand Edralin (b. 11 Sept. 1917) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1988	Aung San Suu Kyi returns to Burma from England, to look after her dying mother Go to Aung San Suu Kyi (1945– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia
1989	Before the coming election the military junta in Burma places democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest Go to Aung San Suu Kyi (1945– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1990	Aung San Suu Kyi's party wins an overwhelming victory in Burma's general election but the military refuse to hand over power Go to Myanmar in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia Singapore prime minister Lee Kuan Yew steps down after 31 years in office Go to Lee Kuan Yew (16 Sept. 1923) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1991	Aung San Suu Kyi wins the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous fight for democracy in Burma Go to Aung San Suu Kyi (1945– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia
1992	After a single term as president of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino returns to private life Go to Aquino, Corazón Maria (25 Jan. 1933) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia
1998	President Suharto is finally forced to resign, after more than 30 corrupt and embezzling years as Indonesia's dictator Go to Suharto, Hadji Mohamad (b. 8 June 1921) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia East Asia
1999	A plebiscite in East Timor delivers a vote for independence from Indonesia Go to Timor Leste in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia
2002	Terrorists detonate bombs in two crowded nightclubs in the Bali resort of Kuta, killing 202 people See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia East Asia
2003	A deadly new form of pneumonia, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is first reported in Hanoi and soon spreads globally Go to severe acute respiratory syndrome in A Dictionary of Public Health (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Science Medicine Asia East Asia Vietnam
2004	A massive earthquake under the Indian Ocean triggers a tsunami that kills nearly 200,000 people Go to tsunami in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Social and domestic Asia East Asia South Asia Society
2005	Just three years after the first attack, suicide bombers kill more than 25 people in the same Balinese town of Kuta Go to Bali in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia East Asia Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest nearly 20 years after winning Burma' only free election Go to Aung San Suu Kyi (1945– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia East Asia
2006	A military coup in Thailand removes the prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, from office Go to Thailand in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia East Asia
2010	Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest in Rangoon under certain conditions Go to Aung San Suu Kyi (1945– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia East Asia

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date: 03 December 2023

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