Britain takes control of Burma through three Anglo-Burmese wars, completing its annexation in 1885.
Independence
1947
The Panglong Agreement — and Its Architect's Death
Aung San helps negotiate the Panglong Agreement with ethnic leaders, working toward a united, independent Burma. He is assassinated months before independence.
Independence
1948
Burma Becomes Independent
Burma becomes independent on January 4.
Military Rule
Coup
1962
General Ne Win Seizes Power
General Ne Win seizes power in a military coup, closing parliament and imposing the "Burmese Way to Socialism."
Uprising
1988
The 8888 Uprising
Nationwide pro-democracy protests are violently suppressed. Aung San Suu Kyi emerges as a national leader.
Name Change
1989
Burma Renamed Myanmar
The military government changes the country's English name from Burma to Myanmar.
Elections
1990
NLD Wins — Military Refuses to Transfer Power
The National League for Democracy wins the election. The military refuses to transfer power.
Nobel Prize
1991
Nobel Peace Prize
Aung San Suu Kyi receives the Nobel Peace Prize while under house arrest.
Resistance, Reform & Crisis
Saffron Revolution
2007
Buddhist Monks Lead the Saffron Revolution
Buddhist monks lead the Saffron Revolution — mass protests across the country, again suppressed by the military.
Cyclone
2008
Cyclone Nargis
Cyclone Nargis devastates the Irrawaddy Delta, killing more than 138,000 people.
Reform
2010
Limited Reforms Begin
Limited political reforms begin. Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest.
Historic Election
2015
The National League for Democracy Wins a Historic Election
The National League for Democracy wins a historic election.
Rohingya
2017
Mass Operations Against the Rohingya
The military launches mass operations against the Rohingya. More than 700,000 flee to Bangladesh.
Election
2020
Another Landslide
The National League for Democracy wins another landslide election in November.
The Coup & Its Aftermath
Coup
February 1, 2021
The Military Seizes Power
The military seizes power and arrests elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.
Resistance
2021 onward
Civil Disobedience and Armed Resistance
Civil disobedience, violent repression, and armed resistance reshape the conflict.
Turning Point
2023–2024
Resistance Forces Make Major Territorial Gains
Resistance forces make major territorial gains across the country.
Earthquake
March 2025
Earthquake Compounds the Crisis
A powerful earthquake strikes central Myanmar, worsening an existing humanitarian crisis.
Today
Today
The Conflict and Emergency Continue
The conflict and humanitarian emergency continue. See Myanmar Today and News & Updates for verified current information.
The Story Is Still Being Written
Myanmar's people are not waiting to be rescued. They are acting, serving, resisting, and rebuilding — right now. The most powerful things you can do are pray, give, and tell their story.
