Countries / Southeast Asia

History of Myanmar

9 notable historical events in Myanmar, in chronological order.

11th century

1044★★★★★
Anawrahta founds the Pagan Empire
Anawrahta takes the throne at Pagan, going on to unify the Irrawaddy valley and establish Theravada Buddhism in Burma.
DynastyReligion· Myanmar

1569★★★★★
Bayinnaung conquers Ayutthaya
King Bayinnaung of Toungoo Burma captures Ayutthaya, making Siam a vassal within the largest empire in the history of mainland Southeast Asia.
War· Myanmar, Thailand

1767★★★★★
Fall of Ayutthaya to Burma
Konbaung Burmese forces capture and destroy Ayutthaya, ending the Siamese kingdom after more than four centuries.
War· Thailand, Myanmar

1824 – 1826★★★★★
First Anglo-Burmese War
Britain defeats Konbaung Burma, which cedes Assam, Manipur, Arakan and Tenasserim under the Treaty of Yandabo.
War· Myanmar, India, United Kingdom
1858 – 1947★★★★★
Beginning of the British Raj
After the 1857 rebellion, the Government of India Act transfers rule from the East India Company to the British Crown; the Mughal Empire formally ends.
Politics· India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, United Kingdom
1885★★★★★
Third Anglo-Burmese War
Britain takes Mandalay and deposes King Thibaw, ending the Konbaung dynasty and annexing all of Burma to British India.
WarPolitics· Myanmar, United Kingdom

January 4, 1948★★★★★
Independence of Burma
The Union of Burma becomes independent from Britain, choosing not to join the Commonwealth.
Politics· Myanmar, United Kingdom
August 8, 1988★★★★★
8888 Uprising in Burma
Nationwide pro-democracy protests in Burma are violently suppressed by the military; Aung San Suu Kyi emerges as an opposition leader.
RevolutionPolitics· Myanmar

February 1, 2021★★★★★
2021 Myanmar coup d'état
Myanmar's military overthrows the civilian government and detains Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to mass protests and civil war.
Politics· Myanmar