Burma

Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Flag
Location  Southeast Asia
Capital  Naypyidaw
Area  676,578 sq km
Population  55,622,506

"All things come to those that wait"
(Proverb/Quote of the Week)

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January

January 1 Burma (Myanmar) became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), an organization commenced to deal with the rules of trade between nations, on 1 January 1995. January 2 January 3 January 4 Pope Francis named Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar as a cardinal among a new batch of cardinals selected by Pope on 4 January 2015. Charles was appointment as Myanmar's first Roman Catholic cardinal. Japan's deputy prime minister confirmed fresh financial aid for Myanmar on 4 January 2013 during a visit to an industrial zone in Myanmar that underlined the long-isolated nation's growing importance as an economic partner. Independence Day of Burma (Myanmar). Burma gained independence from the United Kingdom on 4 January 1948. January 5 January 6 January 7 January 8 January 9 January 10 January 11 January 12 The government of Burma signed a cease-fire agreement on 12 January 2012 with one of the country's most prominent ethnic rebel groups Karen rebels in a major step toward ending one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies. January 13 Burma released some of its most prominent political dissidents on 13 January 2012 as it takes another small step towards democracy. The release of high-profile dissidents from prison in Burma is hugely significant for better ties with the Western nations. January 14 January 15 January 16 January 17 January 18 January 19 January 20 January 21 January 22 January 23 January 24 January 25 January 26 January 27 January 28 Burma marked the beginning of a new phase in its partnership with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in 2013 as the banks have approved fresh loans of $440m and $512m respectively for Burma to aid the social and economic development of the country. January 29 Burma's new reformist government has abolished a 25-year-old ban on public gatherings of more than five people, as reported on 29 January 2013. The 1988 order was issued on the day a military junta took power after crushing nationwide pro-democracy protests. January 30 January 31

February

February 1 The first freely elected parliament in Burma for 50 years held its opening session on 1 February 2016. This marks a significant step in Burma's road to full and genuine democracy. Myanmar’s first international literary festival opened amid newfound freedoms of expression on 1 February 2013. The Irrawaddy Literary Festival comes as Myanmar relaxes its censorship rules, bringing new freedom of expression to the country's authors, journalists, bloggers and comedians. February 2 February 3 February 4 February 5 February 6 Burma and twelve other countries which are home to the world's dwindling population of wild tigers on 6 February 2015 agreed to establish an intelligence-sharing network to fight traffickers. In a statement issued on 6 February 2012 the United States lifted one of the sanctions it leveled against Myanmar amid a series of political reforms in the country. The waiver will allow assessment missions and limited technical assistance in Burma by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. February 7 February 8 February 9 February 10 February 11 February 12 February 13 February 14 February 15 February 16 February 17 February 18 February 19 February 20 February 21 February 22 February 23 Burmese photojournalist Minzayar Oo won the second prize at the 2016 Days Japan photo contest for his image series named The Price of Jade. February 24 February 25 Myanmar’s first Ice Lantern Festival, organized with the support of Chinese designers, kicked off in Rangoon on 25 February 2012 after about seven months' preparation. February 26 February 27 February 28 February 29 Myanmar's first Huawei Authorized Information, Network academy (HAINA) was inaugurated in Yangon's Thanlyin University of Science and Technology on 29 February 2016 aimed at developing human resources with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge.

March

March 1 March 2 March 3 March 4 March 5 May Sabe Phyu of Burma was honored with the 2015 International Women of Courage Award by the United States Department of State at a presentation ceremony in Washington for advocating for women’s rights. A team of Burmese and international team of scientists have re-discovered Jerdon’s babbler, a tiny bird thought to be extinct, in Myanmar. Previous confirmed sighting of the bird took place in 1941 and the recent rediscovery was reported on 5 March 2015. March 6 March 7 Naw K’nyaw Paw of Burma, a peace activist supporting gender equality and indigenous people’s rights in Burma, was honoured with the 2019 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award by the United States. March 8 Zin Mar Aung, former political prisoner from Burma, was honored with the 2012 International Women of Courage Award by the United States Department of State for promoting democracy, women’s empowerment, and conflict resolution in Burma. March 9 March 10 March 11 March 12 March 13 March 14 March 15 March 16 March 17 March 18 Australia on 18 March 2013 announced a new $20 million aid commitment to Burma and eased some restrictions on defense cooperation. March 19 March 20 March 21 March 22 March 23 March 24 March 25 March 26 March 27 Burma is one of the 11 South Asian countries declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 27 March 2014. The region has been maintaining its polio-free status for the last 3 years. March 28 March 29 March 30 Burmese politician Htin Kyaw sworn in as the first elected civilian president of the country in 50 years on 30 March 2016. Myanmar began first nationwide census in 30 years on 30 March 2014, supported by the United Nations Population Fund. The Associated Press on 30 March 2013 formally opened a bureau in Yangon, Myanmar and became the first international news agency to open a bureau in Myanmar since a reformist government took power two years ago and began relaxing restrictions on the media for the first time in decades as the country emerging from nearly half a century of military rule. The move came ahead of privately owned newspapers back on sale in Myanmar on 1 April 2013. March 31 Myanmar formally became a full member of South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) programme of Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 31 March 2017. Being the seventh country to join the group it is expected to open up new markets and supply chain links for trade and business between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

April

April 1 April 2 Burma’s pro-democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi won the first ever International Bhagwan Mahivir World Peace Award in India on 2 April 2012 for her patience, courage, sacrifice and non-violent movements towards democracy. April 3 April 4 April 5 April 6 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 10 April 11 April 12 April 13 British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Myanmar on the first visit by a high-profile Western leader to the nation in decades on 13 April 2012. David Cameron's historic visit to Burma signals that the country making progress toward democracy and ending decades of international isolation. April 14 April 15 April 16 Burmese reporters Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo representing Reuters won a Pulitzer Prize in the International Reporting category on 16 April 2019 for their bravery in revealing the massacre of 10 Muslim Rohingya men by Buddhist villagers and Myanmar security forces. April 17 April 18 April 19 Myint Zaw of Burma won the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize for launching a national movement that successfully stopped construction of the Myitsone Dam on Myanmar’s treasured Irrawaddy River. Burma (Myanmar) was admitted as a member of the United Nations (UN) on 19 April 1948. April 20 April 21 Japan agreed to write off more than $3.7bn of debt owed by Burma and to resume development aid according to an accord announced jointly by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Burmese President Thein Sein on 21 April 2012. April 22 The European Union on 22 April 2013 permanently dropped its political and economic sanctions against Myanmar, except for the sale of arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression, to support the country’s democratic reforms. April 23 The European Union (EU) formally agreed to suspend sanctions against Myanmar on 23 April 2012, with an exception of its arms embargo, for a year in recognition of the recent political changes in the country. April 24 April 25 April 26 April 27 Imprisoned Burmese blogger Nay Phone Latt received the prestigious PEN/Barbara Goldsmith award on 27 April 2010 for his role in disseminating news of the September 2007 uprising in Burma. April 28 The European Union inaugurated the Office of the European Union to Myanmar on 28 April 2012 in response to the country's recent political reforms. April 29 April 30

May

May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7 May 8 May 9 May 10 Myanmar and Indonesia on 10 May 2014 signed a Visa Exemption agreement for regular passport holders which is expected to increase their trade and investment cooperation and could result in an increase of tourists from both countries. May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 The Government of Myanmar signed a Membership Letter to join the Global Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) movement, a UNICEF-backed movement founded on the principle that all people have a right to food and good nutrition, on 15 May 2013. May 16 May 17 The United States named its first full ambassador to Myanmar in more than two decades on 17 May 2012 in recognition of Myanmar's progress along the path to democracy with recent political reforms. May 18 May 19 May 20 The President of Myanmar Thein Sein visited the White House on 20 May 2013 as part of his visit to the United States, the first by a Burmese head of state in 47 years. The visit marks an improved diplomatic relations between the two nations. May 21 May 22 May 23 May 24 May 25 May 26 Japan on 26 May 2013 endorsed Myanmar's current political reform program by writing off nearly $2 billion in debt and extending new aid, some of which will help support an industrial zone being developed by Japanese firms near the commercial capital, Yangon. May 27 May 28 Myanmar signed 12 agreements with India on 28 May 2012 in order to strengthen trade and diplomatic ties during Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Myanmar. Manmohan's trip is the first time an Indian prime minister has traveled to Myanmar in 25 years. May 29 May 30 May 31

June

June 1 June 2 Myanmar has abandoned research on a nuclear program, according to an official announcement by the country's defence minister on 2 June 2012. June 3 June 4 Coca-Cola officially launched its soft-drink bottling plant in Myanmar on 4 June 2013 as part of a $200 million investment plan, marking its return to the former junta-ruled country after six decades. June 5 June 6 June 7 June 8 June 9 June 10 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 14 Switzerland is lifting sanctions against Myanmar except for military weapons that could be used against people in acts of repression. The announcement by the Swiss Foreign Ministry came on 14 June 2012 during Myanmar’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to Switzerland. June 15 June 16 June 17 June 18 June 19 June 20 June 21 June 22 Burma made its entry onto the UNESCO World Heritage List on 22 June 2014, with the inscription of its first site, Pyu Ancient Cities. June 23 June 24 June 25 June 26 June 27 June 28 Myanmar signed an agreement with the United Nations to ban the recruitment of child soldiers and demobilize those already serving, according to an announcement on 28 June 2012. June 29 June 30 Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) on 30 June 2015 became the first foreign food restaurant to open a store in Myanmar as the military rule in the country ended in 2011.

July

July 1 Burma has become a lower-middle income country with the Gross National Income per capita (GNI), joining those with annual incomes of $1,046 to $4,125, as announced by the World Bank on 1 July 2015. July 2 July 3 July 4 July 5 Australian government on 5 July 2014 announced educational aid to Burma that will focus on increasing educational opportunities for primary and tertiary students, and improving teacher quality. In Burma, Australia will boost services in 43,000 schools and strengthen teacher training colleges for tertiary scholars. The funding ($27.8 million) is additional to Australia’s commitment to provide $24.6 million to promote economic growth and community engagement with the peace process. July 6 July 7 July 8 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 12 July 13 July 14 Just days after the U.S. eased key sanctions on Myanmar, General Electric Co. became the first American company to invest in Myanmar, signing deals on 14 July 2012 to provide medical equipment to a pair of hospitals in the country's biggest city, Yangon. July 15 July 16 Doctors at the Children's Hospital in Yangon, Myanmar successfully separated conjoined twin boys joined at the navel on 16 July 2017. July 17 July 18 July 19 July 20 July 21 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 Lahpai Seng Raw from Myanmar was announced as of one of the recipients of the prestigious 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Award for her quietly inspiring and inclusive leadership—in the midst of deep ethnic divides and prolonged armed conflict—to regenerate and empower damaged communities and to strengthen local NGOs in promoting a non-violent culture of participation and dialogue as the foundation for Myanmar’s peaceful future. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel Prize. July 26 July 27 July 28 A 793-kilometre long gas pipeline between Myanmar and China went into operation on 28 July 2013. The pipeline, runs from Kyaukpyu on resource-rich Myanmar's west coast and enters south-west China at Ruili, is expected to transfer 12 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China annually. July 29 Kyaw Thu of Myanmar was announced as of one of the recipients of the prestigious 2015 Ramon Magsaysay Award for his generous compassion in addressing the fundamental needs of both the living and the dead in Myanmar - regardless of their class or religion - and his channeling personal fame and privilege to mobilize many others toward serving the greater social good. July 30 July 31

August

August 1 August 2 Ko Swe Win of Myanmar was named as a winner of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award on 2 August 2019 for his undaunted commitment to practice independent, ethical, and socially engaged journalism in Myanmar. August 3 August 4 August 5 August 6 August 7 August 8 August 9 August 10 August 11 August 12 August 13 August 14 August 15 August 16 August 17 August 18 Myanmar and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) signed a landmark agreement on 18 August 2014 binding both sides to greater collaboration to tackle crime and drug problems in the country. August 19 August 20 Burma abolished media censorship on 20 August 2012 in the latest in a series of rapid democratic reforms. The reporters would no longer have to submit their work to state censors before publication. The censorship began on 6 August 1964 and ended 48 years and two weeks later. August 21 August 22 August 23 August 24 August 25 August 26 August 27 August 28 August 29 Myanmar and Bangladesh on 29 August 2013 signed an agreement to resume direct Dhaka-Yangon flights which were closed down 6 years ago. Both the neighbors are expected to be benefited commercially through the re-establishment of direct air link. August 30 August 31 Bo Kyi, a former political prisoner from Myanmar, won the 2026 Ramon Magsaysay Award for his lifelong commitment to truth, accountability, and justice, through his work on issues related to human rights in Myanmar.

September

September 1 September 2 September 3 September 4 September 5 For the fourth year in a row, Myanmar was ranked first in the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) World Giving Index on 5 September 2017. The index measures the average percentage of people in each country who donate money, volunteer or help a stranger. September 6 September 7 Doctor Myat Myat Ohn Khin was appointed as Myanmar's first female full Cabinet minister on 7 September 2012. September 8 September 9 September 10 The Coca-Cola Company shipped drinks to customers in Myanmar, its first delivery to the Southeast Asian country in more than 60 years, according to an official announcement on 10 September 2012. The move is part of efforts to attract foreign investors in the post US trade sanctions era on the military junta which ruled the country from 1962 to 2011. September 11 September 12 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 16 September 17 Burma and the United Nations nuclear agency signed an agreement on 17 September 2013 that will encourage it to declare any nuclear activities and allow inspections—the latest step by the former pariah nation toward openness. September 18 September 19 Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on 19 September 2012 was presented with the United States Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian honor, which she was awarded in absentia in 2008, while under house arrest. September 20 September 21 September 22 September 23 September 24 September 25 September 26 September 27 September 28 September 29 September 30

October

October 1 October 2 October 3 October 4 October 5 October 6 October 7 October 8 October 9 October 10 Myanmar on 10 October 2013 was formally awarded the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2014. As head of the Southeast Asian bloc, Myanmar will host the 2014 ASEAN summit - an annual event that draws thousands of delegates and journalists. October 11 October 12 The Government of Myanmar on 12 October 2013 signed a US$140 million credit agreement with the World Bank Group to support the installation of a modern, high-efficiency 106 mw electricity power plant in Mon State. Burma freed dozens of political prisoners on 11 October 2011, including popular actor and comedian Zarganar who is one of its most famous dissidents, in a further sign of change in the authoritarian state after decades of repression. October 13 October 14 Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar (Burma) won the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. Suu Kyi's struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia. She has become an important symbol throughout the world in the struggle against oppression. October 15 October 16 October 17 October 18 October 19 October 20 October 21 October 22 October 23 October 24 October 25 Myanmar rated as the most generous nation in the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) 2016 World Giving Index for the third year running. The index measures the average percentage of people in each country who donate money, volunteer or help a stranger. October 26 October 27 Myanmar's politician Aung San Suu Kyi finally collected her honorary citizenship of Rome on 17 October 2013, 19 years after being offered the honor. The Nobel peace laureate was given the citizenship in 1994 but spent most of the past two decades under house arrest in Myanmar which meant she was unable to collect her award. October 28 October 29 October 30 October 31

November

November 1 The World Bank approved first Myanmar aid in 25 years on 1 November 2012 in order to support the former pariah-nation’s reform drive. November 2 An 11th-century Buddha sculpture was returned to Myanmar after two decades abroad, as reported on 2 November 2013. Stolen in 1989 the sculpture went for a ride around the world. November 3 November 4 November 5 November 6 November 7 Tuan Cer Sung “Cheery” Zahau of Burma won the 2017 N-Peace Award in Untold Stories category for devoting her life to ensure women are given a voice. November 8 Burma's first openly contested parliamentary elections in 25 years was held successfully on 8 November 2015. November 9 November 10 Myanmar ranked first in the 2015 Charities Aid Foundation's World Giving Index which measures each country's charitable behavior. November 11 November 12 A team of international and Burmese researchers has identified a new species of primate, a lithe tree-dweller living in the forests of central Myanmar with a mask-like face framed by a shock of unruly grey hair. The primate was named a the Popa langur in the journal Zoological Research on 12 November 2020. November 13 The 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit was held in the city of Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar on 11-13 November 2014. November 14 November 15 Burma and 14 other countries on 15 November 2020 agreed to form the world’s largest free trade bloc, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), at a virtual ASEAN Summit. November 16 The United States on 16 November 2012 lifted a nearly decade-old ban on most imports from Myanmar with the exception of gems, a sector seen as a major driver of corruption and violence. November 17 November 18 November 19 US President Barack Obama arrived in Myanmar on 19 November 2012 for a historic visit aimed at encouraging a string of dramatic political reforms in the long-isolated state. President Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Burma. November 20 November 21 November 22 November 23 November 24 November 25 November 26 Burmese journalists, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, won the 2018 Journalist of the Year Award at Foreign Press Association Media Awards in London who were jailed for their reporting on the massacre of Rohingyas in Myanmar. November 27 November 28 November 29 November 30 Paul Sein Twa of Myanmar was named as one of the winners of the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize for his initiative to preserve both the environment and Karen culture in Myanmar. U Thant, a Burmese diplomat, served as the third Secretary-General of the United Nations from 30th November 1961 to 31st December 1971. Thant was the first Asian Secretary General.

December

December 1 Rohingya activist Wai Wai Nu of Myanmar was named as one of the world's top 100 global thinkers by Foreign Policy, a Washington-based prestigious magazine of global politics, economics and ideas, on 1 December 2015 for ensuing the stateless are not voiceless in her country. December 2 December 3 December 4 December 5 Myanmar and the Philippines on 5 December 2013 signed agreements on bilateral cooperation in food security, renewable energy, visa exemption for Filipinos to Myanmar, trade, and investment during the state visit of Myanmar President Thein Sein in the Philippines. The Philippines has already extended the same visa exemption arrangement to citizens of Myanmar ahead of the signing of the agreement. December 6 December 7 December 8 December 9 December 10 December 11 December 12 December 13 December 14 December 15 December 16 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 16 December 2014 approved a loan of up to $100 million to improve infrastructure connectivity needed for sustainable economic growth in Myanmar. December 17 December 18 Myanmar on 18 December 2014 completed all procedures to become the 11th shareholder of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF), joining other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) country members and Asian Development Bank (ADB). It will help the country to access funding to invest in infrastructure to support its long-term development. December 19 Burmese reporter Mratt Kyaw Thu won the 2017 Agence France-Presse Kate Webb prize for his compelling and rigorous coverage of ethnic strife in his native Myanmar. December 20 December 21 December 22 Burma proudly hosted the 27th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), a multi-sport event involving participants from 11 countries, successfully completed on 22 December 2013. December 23 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 27 December 28 Myanmar on 28 December 2012 announced it will allow private daily newspapers starting in April for the first time since 1964, in the latest step toward allowing freedom of expression in the long-repressed nation. December 29 December 30 December 31

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