After Myanmar's fall into the economical abyss in the previous
years, in March 1988 first, massive demonstrations against
the government arise in Yangon. The demonstrations continue for
several months.
Although those demonstrations had been tolerated over several
months, on August 8, 1988, the army uses violence against
demonstrators in Yangon, resulting in many deaths. In the days
that follow also in other towns of Myanmar demonstrations are
dissolved by the use of weapons. The international media mention
3,000 to 4,000 dead and 12,000 injured.
The Burmese military under the leadership of General Saw Maung
take over political power on September 18, 1988, and
form the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)
as the new government. SLORC promises free elections within the
shortest time.
In July 1989 the cofounder of the Burmese opposition party
National League for Democracy, Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi, is
placed under restrictive orders not to leave her house in Yangon.
During parliamentary elections on May 27, 1991, which in
the opinion of foreign observers were conducted mostly in a fair
manner, the candidates of the opposition party National League
for Democracy win with 82 % of the 13 Million given votes
392 of 485 parliament seats.
In October 1991 Aung San Suu Kyi is awarded the Peace
Nobel Prize. She is released from house arrest in June 1995.
Other Historical eras:
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/myanmar/myanmar_history_today.htm
