April 2008★★★★★
Launch of VINASAT-1
Vietnam's first communications satellite is launched into orbit.
Technology· Vietnam
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Events this year
May 28, 2008★★★★★
Nepal abolishes the monarchy
Nepal's Constituent Assembly votes to abolish the Shah monarchy and declares a federal democratic republic.
Politics· Nepal
August 2008★★★★★
Expansion of Hanoi
Hà Tây province and several neighbouring districts are merged into Hanoi, roughly tripling the capital's area.
Politics· Vietnam
August 2008★★★★★
Russo-Georgian War
A brief war between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia; Russia afterwards recognises both regions as independent states.
War· Georgia, Russia
August 8, 2008 – August 24, 2008★★★★★
2008 Beijing Olympics
Beijing hosts the Summer Olympic Games for the first time, opening on 8 August 2008.
Culture· China
October 31, 2008★★★★★
Bitcoin white paper published
A person or group using the name Satoshi Nakamoto publishes the white paper describing Bitcoin, the first decentralised cryptocurrency.
TechnologyEconomy
November 4, 2008★★★★★
Barack Obama elected US President
Barack Obama wins the presidential election, becoming the first African American elected to the office.
Politics· United States
Ongoing
July 23, 1983 – May 18, 2009★★★★★
Sri Lankan Civil War
A 26-year armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ends in the LTTE's defeat.
War· Sri Lanka
March 20, 2003 – December 2011★★★★★
Iraq War
A US-led coalition invades Iraq and topples Saddam Hussein, beginning a long period of occupation and conflict.
War· Iraq, United States, United Kingdom