Full History Of Kyrgyzstan In Timeline From 1916

1916: Suppression of 1916 rebellion

In 1916, the suppression of the rebellion against Russian rule in Central Asia caused many Kyrgyz to migrate to China.

1919: Establishment of Soviet power

In 1919, Soviet power was initially established in the region of Kyrgyzstan, and the Kara-Kyrgyz Autonomous Oblast was created within the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (SFSR).

1922: Denouncing the Union Treaty

On December 8, 1991, the leaders denounced the Union Treaty of 1922.

1928: Adoption of Latin Script

In 1928, the Latin script was introduced and adopted for the Kyrgyz language on Stalin's orders.

1928: Start of collectivization conflicts

In 1928, the Soviet Union's plan for rapid collectivization led to conflicts as Russian settlers acquired the best pasture land, causing hardship for the original inhabitants.

1928: End of New Economic Policy

In approximately 1928, the New Economic Policy (NEP) ended, after which the Bolsheviks made an effort to establish a standardized tax system.

1932: Nomad resistance to collectivization

Between 1928 and 1932, nomads and peasants resisted collectivization policies, including guerrilla opposition in the Kirgiziya area.

1934: National Library established

In 1934, The National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic, the oldest library in the country, was established.

December 1936: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic established

On December 5, 1936, the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic was established as a constituent Union Republic of the Soviet Union.

1936: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic formed

In 1936, the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic was formed as a constituent republic of the Soviet Union.

1941: Adoption of Cyrillic Script

In 1941, the Cyrillic script replaced the Latin script for the Kyrgyz language.

1979: Ethnic Kyrgyz Percentage

Around 1979, the percentage of ethnic Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan was approximately 50%.

1989: Soviet census data

According to the last Soviet census in 1989, ethnic Kyrgyz made up only 22% of the residents of the northern city of Frunze (now Bishkek), while more than 60% were Russians, Ukrainians, and people from other Slavic nations.

1989: Emergence of groups to address housing crisis

In 1989, several groups emerged in Kyrgyzstan to deal with the acute housing crisis and were permitted to function, despite the ban on unofficial political groups.

1989: German Population

In 1989, the German population in Kyrgyzstan numbered 101,000.

1989: Influence of Russian TV Media

Russian TV media enjoyed popularity in Kyrgyzstan, even though the percentage of Russians today being a fraction of that in 1989.

June 1990: Ethnic tensions in Osh Region

In June 1990, ethnic tensions between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz surfaced in the Osh Region, leading to the Osh Riots and 186 deaths.

December 1990: Republic renamed Republic of Kyrgyzstan

On December 15, 1990, the Supreme Soviet voted to change the republic's name to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

1990: Kyrgyz Exports to Soviet Union

In 1990, approximately 98% of Kyrgyz exports were directed to other parts of the Soviet Union.

1990: Askar Akayev elected president

In 1990, pro-independence candidate Askar Akayev was elected president of Kyrgyzstan following Mikhail Gorbachev's democratic reforms.

February 1991: Capital renamed Bishkek

In February 1991, the name of the capital, Frunze, was changed back to its pre-revolutionary name of Bishkek.

March 1991: Referendum on preserving the Soviet Union

In March 1991, a referendum on the preservation of the Soviet Union showed that 88.7% of voters approved retaining the Soviet Union.

August 1991: Kyrgyzstan declares independence

On August 31, 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared independence from the USSR and established a democratic government.

August 1991: Declaration of independence from the Soviet Union

On August 31, 1991, following a failed coup attempt in Moscow, the Supreme Soviet voted to declare independence from the Soviet Union as the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

October 1991: Akayev elected president of independent republic

In October 1991, Askar Akayev was elected president of the new independent republic by direct ballot.

December 1991: Kyrgyzstan enters Commonwealth

On December 21, 1991, Kyrgyzstan agreed with the other four Central Asian Republics to the Alma-Ata Protocols, formally entering the Commonwealth.

December 1991: Signing of Belavezha Accords

On December 8, 1991, together with representatives of seven other Republics Akayev signed the Treaty of the Economic Community. The new leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine signed the Belavezha Accords, denouncing the Union Treaty of 1922.

1991: Kyrgyz Independence

According to a Bishkek resident, many ethnic Kyrgyz born after Kyrgyz independence in 1991 can't speak Kyrgyz, but only Russian.

1991: Kyrgyz Adopted as State Language

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyz was adopted as the state language of Kyrgyzstan in 1991.

1991: Declaration of Independence anniversary

Kyrgyzstan celebrates its Independence Day annually on August 31, the anniversary of its declaration of independence in 1991.

1991: Emigration of Germans

Since 1991, a large number of Germans have emigrated to Germany.

1991: Independence and Border Clashes

The water conflict in April 2021 escalated into one of the most serious border clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan since independence in 1991.

1992: Flag Under Soviet Rule

Before 1992, under Soviet rule, Kyrgyzstan had the flag of the Soviet Union with two big blue stripes and a white thin stripe in the middle.

1992: Kyrgyzstan joins international organizations

In 1992, Kyrgyzstan joined the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

1992: Foundation of Football Federation

In 1992, after the split of the Soviet Union, the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic was founded.

May 1993: Official name changed to Kyrgyz Republic

On May 5, 1993, the official name changed from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the Kyrgyz Republic after adopting a new constitution.

1993: Uzbek Enclaves Data

In 1993, the Uzbek enclave of Sokh had a population of 42,800, and Shakhimardan had a population of 5,100.

1993: Constitution Defines Government Form

In 1993, the constitution defined the form of government as a democratic unicameral republic.

1995: Asian Basketball Championship Performance

Kyrgyzstan's national basketball team had its best performance at the official 1995 Asian Basketball Championship.

December 1998: Kyrgyzstan's Accession to WTO

In December 1998, reforms led to Kyrgyzstan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

1998: Economic Performance Improvement

Economic performance in Kyrgyzstan improved considerably since 1998, though difficulties remain in securing adequate fiscal revenues and providing an adequate social safety net.

2000: First Olympic Medal

During the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Aidyn Smagulov won the first Olympic medal for Kyrgyzstan, with a bronze in judo.

2000: Russian as an Official Language

Kyrgyzstan adopted Russian as an official language in 2000.

March 2002: Aksy Protests

In March 2002, in the southern district of Aksy, five people protesting the arbitrary arrest of an opposition politician were shot dead by police, sparking nationwide protests.

2002: Agriculture accounted for 35.6% of GDP

In 2002, agriculture accounted for 35.6% of GDP and about half of employment in Kyrgyzstan.

February 2003: Constitutional Referendum

In February 2003, President Askar Akayev initiated a constitutional reform process leading to a referendum marred by voting irregularities.

March 2005: Parliamentary elections

In March 2005, parliamentary elections took place in Kyrgyzstan, leading to political instability.

March 2005: Bloodless Coup

In March 2005, protests led to a bloodless coup, after which Akayev fled the country and was replaced by Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

March 2005: Tulip Revolution parliamentary elections

In March 2005, the "Tulip Revolution" took place after the parliamentary elections.

April 2005: President Akayev's resignation

On April 4, 2005, President Askar Akayev resigned during the "Tulip Revolution". A new government was established under President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and Prime Minister Felix Kulov.

July 2005: Presidential Election Won by Bakiyev

In July 2005, acting president Bakiyev won the presidential election with 88.9% of the vote.

2005: Agreement for KTRK to retransmit RFE/RL programmes

In 2005, an agreement required KTRK to retransmit Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programmes

May 2006: Assassination of Parliament member

On May 10, 2006, a member of Parliament was assassinated shortly after winning his murdered brother's seat in a by-election.

November 2006: Protests Against Bakiyev

In November 2006, large-scale protests against President Bakiyev took place in Bishkek.

2006: Tourism Boom at Issyk-Kul

In 2006, the number of tourists visiting Lake Issyk-Kul exceeded one million per year.

July 2007: Bermet Akayeva Interview on Islam

In a July 2007 interview, Bermet Akayeva stated that Islam is increasingly taking root across the nation, with many mosques being built.

2007: Tourism Numbers at Issyk-Kul

In 2007, the number of tourists visiting Lake Issyk-Kul was more than a million a year.

September 2008: Bakiyev Criticizes RFE/RL Programme

In September 2008, President Bakiyev criticised RFE/RL's "Inconvenient Questions" programme.

October 2008: KTRK Stops Retransmitting RFE/RL

In October 2008, KTRK stopped retransmitting RFE/RL programming.

November 2008: Parliament Passes Law on Religion

On 6 November 2008, the Kyrgyzstan parliament unanimously passed a law increasing the minimum number of adherents for recognizing a religion from 10 to 200.

December 2008: KTRK Restricts RFE/RL Programming

In December 2008, KTRK announced it would require prior submission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programmes.

2008: Kyrgyzstan Wins Wrestling Medals

Since the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Kyrgyzstani wrestlers have won six medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling.

January 2009: Law on Religion Signed

On January 12, 2009, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed a law increasing the minimum number of adherents for recognizing a religion from 10 to 200.

February 2009: Closure of Manas Air Base Announced

In February 2009, President Bakiyev announced the imminent closure of the Manas Air Base.

June 2009: Reversal of Manas Air Base Closure

In June 2009, the decision to close the Manas Air Base was reversed, and the Americans were allowed to remain under a new contract.

2009: Pew Research Center Report on Islam

A 2009 Pew Research Center report indicated 86.3% of Kyrgyzstan's population adhering to Islam.

2009: First Ice Hockey Championship

In 2009, the first Ice Hockey Championship was organized in Kyrgyzstan.

April 2010: Transitional government takes control

By April 8, 2010, a transition government led by Roza Otunbayeva had taken control of state media and government facilities in the capital.

April 2010: Bakiyev leaves the country

On April 15, 2010, President Bakiyev left Kyrgyzstan and flew to Kazakhstan after stating his terms of resignation on April 13.

April 2010: Civil unrest breaks out

On April 6 and 7, 2010, civil unrest broke out in Talas and spread to Bishkek, leading to violent protests against government corruption and increased living expenses; a state of emergency was imposed.

June 2010: Osh calms, Jalal-Abad witnesses arson

By June 14, 2010, Osh became relatively calm, but Jalal-Abad witnessed sporadic incidents of arson and the United Nations sent an envoy to assess the situation.

June 2010: KIC Report on Provisional Government

In June 2010, according to the KIC report, the Provisional Government failed to recognize or underestimated the deterioration in inter-ethnic relations in southern Kyrgyzstan.

June 2010: Ethnic Violence and Government Response

In June 2010, ethnic violence escalated with local clashes reported, and the interim government struggled to control the situation due to insufficient security forces. Media reported Russia considering the Kyrgyz government's request for assistance, and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) held an emergency meeting to discuss its potential role.

June 2010: Ethnic clashes in South Kyrgyzstan

On June 11, 2010, ethnic clashes occurred between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz in Osh, leading to fears of a civil war.

June 2010: Clashes cause shortages and casualties

As of June 12, 2010, the clashes caused a shortage of food and other essential commodities with more than 200 killed and 1,685 people hurt. Russia sent humanitarian aid.

August 2010: Formation of International Commission

In August 2010, President Roza Otunbayeva announced the formation of an international commission to investigate the clashes.

August 2010: Government Commission Investigates Clashes

On 2 August 2010, the Kyrgyz government commission began investigating the causes of the clashes. The National Commission, led by Abdygany Erkebaev, met with people from predominantly ethnic Uzbek villages of Mady, Shark, and Kyzyl-Kyshtak in the Kara-Suu district of Osh Oblast.

2010: Syr Darya River

As of 2010, the Syr Darya no longer reaches the Aral Sea, as its water is withdrawn upstream to irrigate cotton fields in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and southern Kazakhstan.

2010: Arrests After South Kyrgyzstan Riots

Following the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots, dozens of prominent Uzbek religious and community leaders were arrested by security forces.

2010: Revolution and Bakiyev's Flight

In 2010, another revolution erupted, forcing President Bakiyev to flee to Kazakhstan and then seek asylum in Belarus.

2010: Askarov Sentenced to Life in Prison

Kyrgyzstani activist and journalist Azimzhan Askarov was sentenced to life in prison in 2010.

July 2011: Kyrgyzstan Joins IIHF

The Kyrgyzstan men's ice hockey team joined the IIHF in July 2011.

December 2011: Atambayev Sworn in as President

In December 2011, Almazbek Atambayev was sworn in as president.

2012: Pew Survey Report on Muslim Identification

A 2012 Pew survey report showed that only 23% of respondents to a questionnaire chose to identify themselves as Sunni.

2012: Bandy World Championship Appearance

In 2012, the Kyrgyz national team played in the Bandy World Championship for the first time.

June 2013: Law Banning Women's Travel

In June 2013, a law banning women under 23 from traveling abroad without a parent or guardian was passed in the Kyrgyz parliament.

2013: Gallup poll on Soviet Union collapse

According to a 2013 Gallup poll, 62% of Kyrgyz people say that the collapse of the Soviet Union harmed their country.

2013: China's Belt and Road Initiative

After Beijing launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, China expanded its economic presence and initiated infrastructure projects in Kyrgyzstan.

2013: Kyrgyz Republic's NRI Ranking

In 2013, Kyrgyz Republic ranked number 118 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI).

2013: Shift in Ethnic Composition

In 2013, the percentage of ethnic Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan had increased to over 70%.

June 2014: Transit Center at Manas

Until June 2014, the US Armed Forces leased a facility named the Transit Center at Manas at Manas International Airport near Bishkek.

October 2014: Gay-Rights Law Passed

In October 2014, Kyrgyzstan lawmakers passed a law that imposes jail terms on gay-rights activists and others who create "a positive attitude toward non-traditional sexual relations."

2014: Russifying Names

According to an RFE/RL article from 2014, thousands of Kyrgyz are russifying their names every year.

2014: Kyrgyz Republic's NRI Ranking

In 2014, Kyrgyz Republic ranked number 118 overall in the World Economic Forum's Network Readiness Index (NRI), unchanged from 2013.

2014: US Military Withdraws from Manas Air Base

In 2014, the US military fully withdrew from Manas Air Base.

2015: Bishkek Population

As of 2015, Bishkek, the capital and largest city, had a population of 937,400 inhabitants.

2015: Member of the Eurasian Economic Union

In 2015, Kyrgyzstan became a full-fledged member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EES).

September 2016: Launch of University of Central Asia

In September 2016, the University of Central Asia was launched in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan.

2016: Corruption Perception Index

In 2016, the Corruption Perception Index for Kyrgyzstan was 28 on a scale of 0 (most corrupt) to 100 (least corrupt).

January 2017: Askarov's Sentence Reinstated

On 24 January 2017, a Kyrgyz court reinstated a sentence of life imprisonment for Azimzhan Askarov.

October 2017: Jeenbekov Elected President

In October 2017, Sooronbay Jeenbekov was elected as the new President of Kyrgyzstan.

2017: CIA World Factbook on Religion

The CIA World Factbook estimates that as of 2017, 90% of Kyrgyzstan's population is Muslim.

August 2019: Operation Against Atambayev

On 7 August 2019, the Special Forces of Kyrgyzstan launched an operation against the residence of former President Almazbek Atambayev.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2019, Kyrgyzstan had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 8.86/10, ranking it 13th globally out of 172 countries.

August 2020: Kyrgyzstan Population Estimate

In August 2020, Kyrgyzstan's population was estimated at 6,586,600.

October 2020: Jeenbekov Resigns

In October 2020, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned after protests caused by irregularities in parliamentary elections.

2020: Language Spoken at Home

According to the World Values Survey in 2020, Russian was the language spoken at home for 55.6% of the population of Bishkek.

2020: Kyrgyzstan Democracy Index

Kyrgyzstan was ranked 107th out of 167 in the Democracy Index for 2020.

2020: Kyrgyzstan Wins Wrestling Medals

Since the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Kyrgyzstani wrestlers have won six medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling: three in 2020.

January 2021: Japarov Elected President

In January 2021, Sadyr Japarov was elected as the new president after winning the presidential election by a landslide.

March 2021: Russia plans new Russian-language schools

In March 2021, Russia announced plans to create approximately 30 new Russian-language schools in Kyrgyzstan, adding to the existing network of Russian-language schools in cities like Bishkek and Osh.