1511★★★★★
Portuguese capture of Malacca
Afonso de Albuquerque captures Malacca, ending the Malacca Sultanate and beginning European colonial presence in Southeast Asia.
WarPolitics· Malaysia, Portugal
Timeline
6 events16th century
20th century
- August 31, 1957★★★★★
Independence of the Federation of Malaya
Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaims the Federation of Malaya's independence from Britain at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Politics· Malaysia, United Kingdom - September 16, 1963★★★★★
Formation of Malaysia
Malaya unites with Singapore, Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak to form Malaysia.
Politics· Malaysia, Singapore - August 9, 1965★★★★★
Singapore becomes independent
Singapore separates from Malaysia and becomes an independent republic led by Lee Kuan Yew.
Politics· Singapore, Malaysia - August 8, 1967★★★★★
Founding of ASEAN
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand sign the Bangkok Declaration, founding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
PoliticsTreaty· Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand - c. 1975 – c. 1995★★★★★
Vietnamese boat people
Hundreds of thousands of people flee Vietnam by sea after 1975; many die at sea and others are resettled, mostly in Western countries.
Politics· Vietnam, United States, Australia, Canada, France, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand