Cambodia

By simpsonkas

  • Cambodia wins its independence from France. Under King Sihanouk, it becomes the Kingdom of Cambodia.

  • Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political career. His father becomes king and Sihanouk becomes prime minister.

  • Sihanouk abdicated in favour of his father and became prime minister

  • Sihanouk is elected as head of state after the death of his father

  • Sihanouk is deposed in a US-backed coup by General Lon Nol

  • The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, march into Phnom Penh, beginning a reign of terror that would leave up to two million people dead from starvation, overwork or execution.

  • Sihanouk is evacuated to Beijing on the eve of the invasion by Vietnamese forces that oust the Khmer Rouge.

  • Sihanouk becomes president

  • Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected, is appointed as prime minister of Cambodia's Vietnam-installed government.

  • Vietnamese troops withdraw under international pressure.

  • Paris peace agreement is signed, giving the UN authority to supervise a ceasefire and democratic elections.

  • Sihanouk makes a triumphant return to Cambodia after nearly 13 years in exile.

  • UN-sponsored elections are held and the royalist FUNCINPEC party

  • Sihanouk returns to the throne under a new constitution transforming the country into a constitutional monarchy, which allows for the king to reign but not rule.

  • The Khmer Rouge are outlawed.

  • 5-6 of may Hun Sen ousts Ranariddh in a widely condemned move that leads to deadly factional street fighting.

  • Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot dies.

  • Sihanouk promulgates a law creating a UN-backed tribunal to bring Khmer Rouge leaders to justice.

  • In a surprise announcement, Sihanouk abdicates, citing poor health and a wish to ensure a stable transition to a new monarch.

  • Sihanouk writes on his website that the cancer that began in his prostate has recurred in his stomach.

  • Sihanouk says on his website that he has been successfully treated for a third bout of cancer.

  • Sihanouk says he has lived too long and wishes to die.

  • During a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of his return from exile, Sihanouk vows not to leave Cambodia again despite his health problems.

  • Sihanouk heads back to Beijing for medical treatment.

  • Sihanouk dies in Beijing