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The Independence from France
King Norodom Sihanouk declared Cambodian independence on November 9, 1953. -
Sihanouk becomes prime minister
King Sihanouk becomes prime minister after abdicating in favor of his father, Norodom Suramarit. -
Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US
Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US and allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to set up bases in Cambodia in pursuance of their campaign against the US-backed government in South Vietnam. -
The US Bombing Campaign
The US begins a secret bombing campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil. -
Khmer Republic and sends the army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia
Prime Minister Lon Nol overthrows Sihanouk in coup. He proclaims the Khmer Republic and sends the army to fight the North Vietnamese in Cambodia. Sihanouk - in exile in China - forms a guerrilla movement. Over next few years the Cambodian army loses territory against the North Vietnamese and communist Khmer Rouge guerrillas -
The Fight with Vietnam
Fighting breaks out with Vietnam. -
Vietnamese forces invade
Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning assault. -
The Vietnamese take Phnom Penh
The Vietnamese take Phnom Penh. Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to the border region with Thailand.
The People's Republic of Kampuchea is established. Many elements of life before the Khmer Rouge take-over are re-established. -
Hun Sen becomes Prime Minister
Hun Sen becomes prime minister. Cambodia is plagued by guerrilla warfare. Hundreds of thousands become refugees. -
Vietnamese Troops Withdraw
Vietnamese troops withdraw. Hun Sen tries to attract foreign investment by abandoning socialism. The country is re-named the State of Cambodia. Buddhism is re-established as the state religion. -
Peace Agreement is Signed in Paris
There was a peace agreement is signed in Paris. A UN transitional authority shares power temporarily with representatives of the various factions in Cambodia. Sihanouk becomes head of state. -
The Monarchy is Restored, Sihanouk becomes King Again.
General election sees the royalist Funcinpec party win the most seats followed by Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP). The monarchy is restored, Sihanouk becomes king again. The country is re-named the Kingdom of Cambodia. -
Pol Pot was Arrested
Pol Pot was arrested by other Khmer Rouge leaders and sentenced to life imprisonment. -
Pol Pot Death
He died in his sleep, at the age 72 due to heart failure. -
Cambodian Freedom Fighters
US-based Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) members convicted of 2000 attack in Phnom Penh. Group pledges to continue campaign to overthrow Hun Sen. -
First Bridge Across the Mekong River Opens
First bridge across the Mekong River opens, linking east and west Cambodia. -
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy goes abroad after parliament
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy goes abroad after parliament strips him of immunity from prosecution, leaving him open to defamation charges brought by the ruling coalition. -
Funcinpec Party
Funcinpec party, a junior partner in the ruling coalition, drops Prince Norodom Ranariddh as its leader. -
Ranariddh is sentenced in absentia
Ranariddh is sentenced in absentia to 18 months in prison for selling the Funcinpec party's headquarters - a charge he denies. -
US court convicts CFF leader Chhun Yasith
US court convicts CFF leader Chhun Yasith of masterminding 2000 attack in Phnom Penh. -