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.
* 1906 Young Men's Buddhist Association founded to maintain cultural identity under British colonial influence.
* 1930╨1931 Economic depression and slump in rice prices provokes uprising led by monk Saya San.
* 1937 Separation from India.
* 1942 Japan invades, receiving help from Burmese Independence Army (BIA) UNDER "THIRTY COMRADES" PREVIOUSLY TRAINED IN JAPAN.
* 1945 BIA SWAPS SIDES AND, SUPPORTED BY ANTI-FASCIST 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 and communists, notably Karen liberation struggle.
* 1962 Military coup led by Gen. Ne Win. "New Order" policy of "Buddhist Socialism" û isolation from outside world. Mining and other industries nationalized. Free trade prohibited.
* 1964 Ne Win makes Socialist Program Party sole legal party.
* 1976 Social unrest. Attempted military coup. 40% of country now held by ethnic liberation groups.
* 1982 Non-indigenous people barred from public office.
* 1987 UN labels Burma a "least-developed nation." Ne Win accepts need to review economic policy.
* 1988 Student riots. Ne Win resigns. Martial law. More riots; 3,000û4,000 dead. Students and monks take control of many towns. NLD founded to form an alternative government by ex-premier U Nu, Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Gen. Aung San, and others. Gen. Saw Maung leads military coup. Students flee cities. SLORC takes power. National Democratic Front of ethnic resistance groups forms Democratic Alliance of Burma to include 11 more groups.
* 1989 Army arrests NLD leaders and steps up anti-rebel activity.
* 1990 Elections permitted. NLD wins 81% of seats. SLORC, however, remains in power. More NLD leaders arrested.
* 1991 Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest, awarded Nobel Peace Prize. NLD expells her as result of SLORC pressure. Many parties deregistered.
