The Timeline of Cambodian Events.

By Watsonres
  • 566 BCE

    Siddhartha Gautama Born

    In 566 BC, Siddhartha Guatama was born.

  • Agreed to France's Protection

    In 1863, Cambodia agreed became a protectorate of France.

  • King Norodom Died

    In 1904, King Norodom had died.

  • Prince Norodom Sihanouk became king.

    Prince Norodom Sihanouk became king and Cambodia became occupied by Japan during world war II

  • Japanese occupation ends

    ln 1945, the Japanese occupation ended.

  • France re-imposes its protectorate

    A constitution that was new to Cambodians permits to form political parties

  • Sihanouk broke off friendships with the US

    Sihanouk broke off all relations with the US and North Vietnamese guerrillas to set their bases up and campaign against the US-backed government

  • US begins secret bombing campaign.

    In 1969, the US began a secret bombing campaign against the forces of North Vietnamese on Cambodian soil.

  • Prince Sihanouk was overthrown by General Lon Nol.

    War began to grown and spread causing General Lon Nol to overthrow Prince Sihanouk.

  • Lon Nol's government was overthrown.

    In 1975, Lon Nol's weak government had been overthrown by Khmer Rouge.

  • Country renamed Democratic Kampuchea.

    In 1976, the country had been renamed Democratic Kampuchea Sihanouk resigned which brought Khieu Samphan to head of state, and made Pol Pot the prime minister.

  • Vietnamese take Phnom Penh

    In January of 1979, the Vietnamese take Phnom Penh. Pol Pot Khmer Rouge's forces then flee with Thailand to the border region.

  • Hun Sen became prime minister.

    Hun Sen became the prime minister and Cambodia was plagued by Guerrilla warfare turning Hundreds of thousands into refugees.

  • Vietnam Withdrew Last of Troops

    Vietnamese Troops Were Withdrawn and the Government Was Renamed State of Cambodia.

  • The SOC Ruled Independently

    The SOC ruled independently until the Paris Peace Agreement, which created the United Nations Transitional Authority

  • Supervised General Elections

    UNTAC supervised general elections in Cambodia and was supported by 22,000 UN Troops.

  • Deputy Forms New Party

    The deputy leader Khmer Rouge Ieng Sary formed a new party in 1996 and was then granted amnesty by Sihanouk.

  • Hun Sen mounts coup against Prince Ranariddh

    Hun Sen mounted a coup against Prince Ranariddh and replaced him with Ung Huot. The Khmer Rouge had then put Pol Pot on trial and sent him to imprisonment for life.

  • Prince Ranariddh found guilty of arms smuggling

    Prince Ranariddh was tried in an absence and had been found guilty of arms smuggling, however he was pardoned by the king.

  • Pol Pot Dies

    In April of 1998, Pol Pot had died in his jungle hideout.

  • Hun Sen's CPP Wins Elections

    in July of 1998, elections are won by Hun Sen's CPP. A coalition was soon formed between the CPP and Funcinpec. Hun Sen was the prime minister while Ranariddh was president of National Assembly.

  • CFF Members Convicted

    In June of 2001, The US based CFF members were convicted of Phnom Penh 2000 attack. The group then pledges to continue their campaign to overthrow Hun Sen.

  • First multi-party local elections

    The first multi-party local elections were held In 2002. Ruling Cambodian People's Party wins in all 1,620 communes except for 23.

  • Diplomatic upset with Thailand

    In 2003, Serious diplomatic became upset with Thailand for comments that had been attributed to a Thai TV star in which the Angkor Wat temple complex was stolen from Thailand. This caused angry crowds to attack the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party wins general elections. However, they failed to secure sufficient majority to govern alone.

  • Hun Sen Re-Elected

    After about a year of political deadlock, the Prime Minister Hun Sen was re-elected after the CPP and the Royalist Funcinpec party strikes a deal.

  • Sam Rainsy goes abroad after being stripped of immunity

    In February of 2005, Sam Rainsy, the opposition leader, went abroad after parliament strips him of immunity from prosecution, and left him open to defamation charges brought by the ruling coalition.

  • Rainsy Is Convicted

    In December of 2005, Rainsy is convicted in Absentia for defaming Hun Sen and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

  • Rainsy Receives a Royal Pardon

    In February of 2006, Rainsy received a royal pardon and returns home.

  • Parliament Votes To Abolish Prison Terms

    In May of 2006, parliament voted to abolish prison terms for defamation.

  • Ta Mok Dies

    In July of 2006, One of the top leaders to Khmer Rouge regime, Ta Mok, dies at the age of 80

  • Ranariddh Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison

    In March of 2007, Ranariddh was sentenced to 18 months in prison for selling the Funcinpec party's headquarters

  • Nuon Chea Arrested and Charged

    In September of 2007, Nuon Chea, The most senior survivor in Khmer Rouge, was arrested and charged for crimes against humanity

  • CFF Leader Convicted

    In April of 2008, The US court convicted the CFF leader, Chhun Yasith of masterminding 2000 attack in Phnom Penh.

  • Kaing Guek Eav Goes On Trial

    In 2009, a former Khmer Rouge member, Kaing Guek Eav, Goes on trial for charges of presiding over the murders of thousands of people as head of the notorious Tuol Sleng prison camp.