Section Archive

The Day Myanmar Dictator U Ne Win Threatened Pro-Democracy Supporters With Death

5.4k

On This Day

By The Irrawaddy

In 1988, U Ne Win’s regime was facing a wave of popular protests that culminated in the historic ‘8888 Uprising’.

The Day Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was Freed From House Arrest for the First Time

6.5k

On This Day

By The Irrawaddy

On this day in 1995, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released from six years of house arrest ordered by the former junta.

The Day Myanmar’s First Prime Minister Met Winston Churchill

5.2k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

As a strong defender of imperialism, Sir Winston Churchill defused any potential tension with U Nu by saying they must bury old animosities.

Suu Kyi Forced to Mark Another Birthday as Myanmar Junta Prisoner

5.8k

On This Day

By The Irrawaddy

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is 76 today as she spends a 15th birthday in captivity.

The Day Myanmar’s Junta Pushed Through 2008 Constitution

7.1k

On This Day

By The Irrawaddy

In the wake of the devastating Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar’s military sealed its political power with a new charter.

The Day Chinese Legend Zhou Enlai Celebrated Thingyan in Myanmar

14.1k

On This Day

By The Irrawaddy

The Chinese premier visited Myanmar in 1960 to mark the Burmese new year and to bolster bilateral ties.

The Day Nehru and Nasser Were Soaked in Myanmar

5.8k

On This Day

By The Irrawaddy

Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser visited the Thingyan festival in 1955.

The Day Aung San Left for India to Discuss Anti-Colonialism

10.2k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

The future independence hero met the leaders of the Indian nationalist movement and argued that armed struggle was essential against British rule.

The Day Myanmar Lost an Influential Cartoonist

83.5k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

On this day in 1953, Myanmar lost the prominent and pioneering cartoonist U Ba Gyan, author of scathing political cartoons and creator of Myanmar’s first animated movie.

The Day HG Wells Met Writers in Myanmar

13.7k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

In 1939, a group of Burmese intellectuals hosted science fiction author HG Wells at the Rangoon University Boat Club to discuss the recent Revolution of 1300.

The Day Gen. Aung San Met Ex-Colonial Administrator and Author Maurice Collis

7.2k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

The architect of Myanmar’s independence met with Collis at the Dorchester Hotel in London to discuss the country’s future.

The Day Britain Moved Its Dead from Shwedagon Pagoda

6.5k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

After 70 years of lobbying, the British colonial authorities in 1929 finally moved the bodies from a cemetery within the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda compound.

The Day Myanmar’s Independence Hero Studied Britain’s War Machine

5.2k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

General Aung San was determined to tour Britain’s Ministry of Defence during his visit to London to plan his ministry after independence.

The Day the Burma Road Between Myanmar and China Opened

4.8k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

On this day in 1939, colonial authorities opened the Burma Road, creating a short-lived lifeline for Chiang Kai-shek’s Chinese nationalist forces fighting the Japanese.

The Day Myanmar’s Independence Hero Met Pakistan’s Founder

4.3k

On This Day

By Wei Yan Aung

General Aung San met Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah in January 1947 before flying to London for talks on independence.