Key events in Myanmar, long under military rule

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Key events in Myanmar:

- Jan. 4, 1948: Country then known as Burma gains independence from British colonial rule.

- 1962: Military leader Ne Win stages a coup and rules the country through a junta for many years.

- 1988: Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of an independence hero, returns to her home country as pro-democracy protests are erupting against the junta. Security forces open fire on demonstrators in August protests, and hundreds are killed.

- July 1989: An increasingly outspoken critic of the junta, Suu Kyi is put under house arrest.

- May 27, 1990: The National League for Democracy, founded by Suu Kyi, wins a landslide victory in elections, but the military refuses to hand over power.

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 1988, file photo, people gather to listen to Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of slain national hero Aung San, speak in Rangoon, Burma, now known as Yangon. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 1988, file photo, people gather to listen to Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of slain national hero Aung San, speak in Rangoon, Burma, now known as Yangon. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo, File)

- October 1991: Suu Kyi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her peaceful struggle against the regime.

- Nov. 7, 2010: A pro-junta party wins Myanmar´s first elections in 20 years, a vote that was boycotted as unfair and rigged in its favor.

- Nov. 13, 2010: Suu Kyi is freed from detention after spending long periods of the past two decades under house arrest.

- 2012: Suu Kyi wins a by-election and takes her seat in Parliament, holding public office for the first time.

- Nov. 8, 2015: The NLD wins a sweeping victory in general elections that were the first openly held since 1990. The military retained significant power under a constitution that also barred Suu Kyi from the presidency, but the position of state counsellor was created for her to lead the government.

- Aug. 25, 2017: Insurgents attack military outposts in the western state of Rakhine, killing dozens. The military responds with a massive crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim population, who begin fleeing by the hundreds of thousands into Bangladesh.

- Dec. 11, 2019: Suu Kyi defended the military in a case at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, denying it had committed genocide.

- Nov. 8, 2020: Myanmar holds elections, with the NLD capturing an outright majority in Parliament.

- Jan. 29, 2021: Myanmar´s election commission rejects the military´s allegations of fraud in the elections, finding no evidence to support the claims.

- Feb. 1, 2021: Myanmar military takes control of the country under a one-year state of emergency, citing the government's failure to act on its fraud claims. Her party says Suu Kyi is again placed under house arrest.

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 1991, file photo, then Burma's main opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi addressing thousands at a rally in Rangoon, Burma. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/The Nation, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 14, 1991, file photo, then Burma's main opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi addressing thousands at a rally in Rangoon, Burma. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/The Nation, File)

FILE - In this June 16, 1996 file photo, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, speaks to supporters outside her home in Rangoon, Myanmar, as senior leaders in the National League for Democracy Tin Oo, left, and U Kyi Maung listen. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Stuart Isett, File)

FILE - In this June 16, 1996 file photo, pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, speaks to supporters outside her home in Rangoon, Myanmar, as senior leaders in the National League for Democracy Tin Oo, left, and U Kyi Maung listen. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Stuart Isett, File)

FILE - In this Nov, 13, 2010, file photo, then Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi talks to the supporters as she stands at the gate of her home in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

FILE - In this Nov, 13, 2010, file photo, then Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi talks to the supporters as she stands at the gate of her home in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, left, smiles after she received flowers from her supporters as she stands at the gate of her home in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2010, file photo, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, left, smiles after she received flowers from her supporters as she stands at the gate of her home in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2012, file photo, Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy party, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win, File)

FILE - In this April 2, 2012, file photo, Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, arrives at the headquarters of her National League for Democracy party, in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win, File)

FILE - In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi briefs the media after a meeting with Norway Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg at the Norway government guest house in Oslo. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

FILE - In this June 15, 2012, file photo, Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi briefs the media after a meeting with Norway Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg at the Norway government guest house in Oslo. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

FILE - In this June 16, 2012, file photo, Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech during the Nobel ceremony at Oslo's City Hall, Norway. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (Daniel Sannum Lauten via AP, File)

FILE - In this June 16, 2012, file photo, Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech during the Nobel ceremony at Oslo's City Hall, Norway. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (Daniel Sannum Lauten via AP, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2015, file photo, then leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy party, Aung San Suu Kyi, delivers a speech with party patron Tin Oo from a balcony of her party's headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2015, file photo, then leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy party, Aung San Suu Kyi, delivers a speech with party patron Tin Oo from a balcony of her party's headquarters in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Mark Baker, File)

FILE - In this May 6, 2016, file photo, Aung San Suu Kyi, left, Myanmar's foreign minister, walks with senior General Min Aung Hlaing, right, Myanmar military's commander-in-chief, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Myanmar military television said Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country's senior politicians including Suu Kyi had been detained. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this May 6, 2016, file photo, Aung San Suu Kyi, left, Myanmar's foreign minister, walks with senior General Min Aung Hlaing, right, Myanmar military's commander-in-chief, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Myanmar military television said Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country's senior politicians including Suu Kyi had been detained. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2020, file photo, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi casts her ballot during advance voting at the Union Election Commission office in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Reports says Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 a military coup has taken place in Myanmar and Suu Kyi has been detained under house arrest. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2020, file photo, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi casts her ballot during advance voting at the Union Election Commission office in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Reports says Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 a military coup has taken place in Myanmar and Suu Kyi has been detained under house arrest. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2019, file photo, Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi addresses judges of the International Court of Justice for the second day of three days of hearings in The Hague, Netherlands. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2019, file photo, Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi addresses judges of the International Court of Justice for the second day of three days of hearings in The Hague, Netherlands. Myanmar's military has taken control of the country under a one-year state of emergency and reports say State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders have been detained. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2021, file photo, supporters of the Myanmar military and the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party hold placards as they continue to protest election results during a rally near Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. A military coup was taking place in Myanmar early Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was detained under house arrest, reports said, as communications were cut to the capital. The placards read: "Do not accept interference by foreign countries. Wipe out those relying on external elements." (AP Photo/Thein Zaw, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 30, 2021, file photo, supporters of the Myanmar military and the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party hold placards as they continue to protest election results during a rally near Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. A military coup was taking place in Myanmar early Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was detained under house arrest, reports said, as communications were cut to the capital. The placards read: "Do not accept interference by foreign countries. Wipe out those relying on external elements." (AP Photo/Thein Zaw, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2020, file photo, Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing leaves a polling station after voting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. A military coup was taking place in Myanmar early Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was detained under house arrest, reports said, as communications were cut to the capital. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 8, 2020, file photo, Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing leaves a polling station after voting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. A military coup was taking place in Myanmar early Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was detained under house arrest, reports said, as communications were cut to the capital. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2017, file photo, Myanmar Vice President Myint Swe poses for a photo after meeting with Yanghee Lee, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, at the President House in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Myanmar military television said Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country's senior politicians including Aung San Suu Kyi had been detained. The military TV report said Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing would be in charge of the country, while Myint Swe would be elevated to acting president. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2017, file photo, Myanmar Vice President Myint Swe poses for a photo after meeting with Yanghee Lee, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, at the President House in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Myanmar military television said Monday, Feb. 1, 2021 that the military was taking control of the country for one year, while reports said many of the country's senior politicians including Aung San Suu Kyi had been detained. The military TV report said Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing would be in charge of the country, while Myint Swe would be elevated to acting president. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File)

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