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In 1953 Cambodia gained its independice
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1965 - 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.
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1955 - Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political career. His father becomes king and Sihanouk becomes prime minister.
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1960 - Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk becomes head of state.
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1969 - The US begins a secret bombing campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Cambodian soil.
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1975 - Lon Nol is overthrown as the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot occupy Phnom Penh. Sihanouk briefly becomes head of state, the country is re-named Kampuchea.
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1978 - Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning assault.