Cambodia's Past

  • Gained independence.

    On February 9, 1953, Cambodia gained their independence from France.
  • Membership of the UN.

    On December 14, 1955, Cambodia is granted membership of the United Nations.
  • Severed ties.

    On August 27, 1963, Cambodia severed ties with South Vietnam
  • Receiving military aid.

    On March 15, 1964, Cambodia was receiving military aid from Communist China.
  • Lon Nol elected president.

    On June 4, 1972, Lon Nol is elected president of the Khmer Republic.
  • The Khmer Rouge forces receives help.

    China agrees to supply the Khmer Rouge forces with military equipment and supplies.
  • Khmer Rouge occupies Tho Chu.

    The Khmer Rouge occupies the Vietnamese island of Tho Chu and kills around 500 residents.
  • Khmer Rouge gunboat seizes American vessel.

    A Khmer Rouge gunboat seizes an American cargo vessel in the Gulf of Thailand.
  • Recapturing Chu Quoc and Tho Chu.

    Vietnamese forces mobilize and eventually recapture Chu Quoc and Tho Chu.
  • Cambodian refugees gunned down.

    Almost 300 Cambodian refugees are shot by Khmer Rouge soldiers as they attempt to cross the border into Thailand.
  • Death of Mao Zedong.

    Mao Zedong, a Chinese communist leader, dies.
  • Ending relations.

    Cambodia ends political and diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
  • Invading Cambodia.

    About 150,000 Vietnamese soldiers invade Cambodia.
  • Control in Phnom Penh.

    Vietnam forces gain control in Phnom Penh, ending nearly four years of Khmer Rouge rule.
  • Vietnamese withdraws.

    On September 27, 1989, the Vietnamese claim they have withdrawn from Cambodia.
  • Peace treaty signed.

    On October 23, 1991, a peace treaty is signed to end the conflict.
  • Supervised elections commence in Cambodia.

    United Nations supervised elections begin in Cambodia.
  • Royal Government formed.

    After the nation-wide elections, the Royal Government of Cambodia is formed.
  • The Khmer Rouge is outlawed.

    On July 7, 1994, The Khmer Rouge is outlawed.
  • Pol Pot dies.

    On April 15, 1998, Pol Pot dies while under house arrest.