From the 11th century, Burma's many ethnic groups came under the rule of three Tibeto-Burman dynasties, interspersed with periods of rule by the Mongols and the Mon. The Third Dynasty came into conflict with the British in India, sparking the Anglo-Burmese wars of 1824, 1852, and 1885.

• 1886 Burma becomes a province of British India.
• 1930–1931 Economic depression triggers unrest.
• 1937 Separation from India.
• 1942 Japan invades.
• 1945 Antifascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL), led by Aung San, helps Allies reoccupy country.
• 1947 UK agrees to Burmese independence. Aung San wins elections, but is assassinated.
• 1948 Independence under new prime minister, U Nu, who initiates socialist policies. Revolts by ethnic separatists, notably Karen liberation struggle.
• 1958 Ruling AFPFL splits into two. Shan liberation struggle begins.
• 1960 U Nu's faction wins elections.
• 1961 Kachin rebellion begins.
• 1962 Gen. Ne Win stages military coup. "New Order" policy of "Buddhist Socialism" deepens international isolation. Mining and other industries nationalized. Free trade prohibited.
• 1964 Socialist Program Party declared sole legal party.
• 1976 Social unrest. Attempted military coup. Ethnic liberation groups gain control of 40% of country.
• 1982 Nonindigenous people barred from public office.
• 1988 Thousands die in student riots. Ne Win resigns. Martial law. Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Aung San, and others form NLD. Gen. Saw Maung leads military coup. State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) takes power. Ethnic resistance groups form Democratic Alliance of Burma.
• 1989 Army arrests NLD leaders and steps up antirebel activity. Officially renamed Union of Myanmar.
• 1990 Elections permitted. NLD wins landslide. SLORC remains in power, however. More NLD leaders arrested.
• 1991 Aung San Suu Kyi awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
• 1992 Gen. Than Shwe takes over as SLORC leader.
• 1996 Student agitation over renewed repression of NLD.
• 1997 Ruling SLORC renamed State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). Burma joins ASEAN. US imposes sanctions and bans further investment.
• 1998 NLD sets deadline for convening parliament; junta refuses.
• 1999 Aung San Suu Kyi rejects conditions set by SPDC for visiting the UK to see her husband, Michael Aris, who dies of cancer.
• 2000 Negotiations between junta and NLD begin.
• 2003 Aung San Suu Kyi detained again, after a year's freedom.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004