Full History Of Kyrgyzstan In Timeline From 1916

1916: Suppression of the 1916 rebellion

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

1916: 1916 Uprising

In 2016, Kyrgyzstan commemorated the centennial of the 1916 uprising against Tsarist Russia, known as Urkun, by unveiling a monument at the Ata-Beyit memorial complex. The original uprising occurred in 1916.

1919: Soviet power established

In 1919, Soviet power was initially established in the region.

1922: Union Treaty of 1922

The Union Treaty of 1922 was denounced on 8 December 1991 by leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, declaring that the Union would cease to exist.

1928: Beginning of collectivization of agriculture

By the end of the 1920s, the Soviet Union began the collectivization of agriculture, including the creation of collective farming systems. In Kyrgyzstan, Russian settlers acquired the best pasture land.

1928: Introduction of Latin script

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

1928: End of New Economic Policy

The period of the New Economic Policy (NEP) which began after the Russian Civil War, lasted roughly to 1928.

1932: Nomad and peasant resistance

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

1934: National Library of the Kyrgyz Republic Established

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

December 1936: Establishment of Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

On 5 December 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, becoming a constituent republic of the Soviet Union.

1941: Replacement by Cyrillic script

In 1941, the Latin script was subsequently replaced by Cyrillic script.

1979: Ethnic Kyrgyz population percentage

In 1979, the percentage of ethnic Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan was around 50%.

1989: Soviet census in 1989

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).

1989: Emergence of groups to deal with the housing crisis

In 1989, several groups emerged to deal with the acute housing crisis and were permitted to function.

1989: German population number

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

June 1990: Ethnic tensions in Osh Region

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

December 1990: Name change to Republic of Kyrgyzstan

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

1990: Kyrgyz exports to the 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 in the USSR.

February 1991: Frunze becomes Bishkek

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

March 1991: Referendum on the preservation of the Soviet Union

In March 1991, 88.7% of voters in Kyrgyzstan approved the proposal to retain the Soviet Union as a 'renewed federation' in a referendum.

August 1991: Kyrgyzstan declared independence

On 31 August 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared its independence from the USSR, leading to the establishment of a democratic government.

August 1991: Declaration of independence

On 31 August 1991, the Supreme Soviet voted to declare independence from the Soviet Union as the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

October 1991: Akayev elected president

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

December 1991: Kyrgyzstan enters the Commonwealth

On 21 December 1991, Kyrgyzstan agreed to the Alma-Ata Protocols, formally entering the Commonwealth of Independent States.

December 1991: Signing of the Belavezha Accords

On 8 December 1991, leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine signed the Belavezha Accords, denouncing the Union Treaty of 1922.

1991: Kyrgyz adopted as the state language

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

1991: Declaration of independence

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

1991: Kyrgyz Independence

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

1991: Emigration of Germans

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

1992: Previous flag of Kyrgyzstan

Before 1992, Kyrgyzstan's flag was that of the Soviet Union with two big blue stripes and a white thin stripe in the middle.

1992: Joining international organizations

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

1992: Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic Founded

In 1992, after the split of the Soviet Union, the Football Federation of Kyrgyz Republic was founded as the official governing body for football in Kyrgyzstan.

May 1993: Name change to Kyrgyz Republic

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

1993: Uzbek Enclaves Population

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

1993: Constitution Defines Government Form

The 1993 constitution defines the form of government as a democratic unicameral republic, including a president, prime minister, parliament, and judicial branch.

1995: Kyrgyzstan's National Basketball Team Performance

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

December 1998: Accession to the World Trade Organization

On December 20, 1998, reforms led to Kyrgyzstan's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

1998: Improvement in economic performance

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

1998: WTO member

In 1998, Kyrgyzstan became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

2000: First Olympic medal

In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Kyrgyzstan received its first ever Olympic medal when Aidyn Smagulov won bronze in the men's 60 kg competition final in judo.

2000: Russian adopted as an official language

Kyrgyzstan adopted Russian as an official language in 2000.

2001: Manas Air Base hosting U.S. military personnel

Since 2001, the Manas Air Base hosted approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel.

March 2002: Aksy Protests and Casualties

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

2002: Agriculture's contribution to GDP and employment

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

February 2003: Controversial 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 February and March 2005, parliamentary elections were held, which the opposition and international observers criticized for alleged irregularities.

March 2005: Parliamentary Elections and Protests

In March 2005, parliamentary elections were widely viewed as corrupt, leading to protests and a coup on March 24. Akayev fled the country and was replaced by Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

April 2005: Tulip Revolution

In April 2005, widespread protests led to the ousting of President Askar Akayev, marking the Tulip Revolution.

July 2005: Kurmanbek Bakiyev assumed the presidency

In July 2005, Kurmanbek Bakiyev won the presidential election with a significant majority and assumed the presidency.

July 2005: Bakiyev Wins Presidential Election

On 10 July 2005, acting president Bakiyev won the presidential election with 88.9% of the vote.

2005: Agreement on Retransmission of RFE/RL Programmes

In December 2008, the state-owned broadcast KTRK announced that it would require prior submission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programmes, which KTRK are required to retransmit according to a 2005 agreement.

November 2006: Protests Against President Bakiyev

Large-scale protests against president Bakiyev took place in Bishkek in November 2006, with opposition leaders accusing him of failing to fulfill his election promises.

2006: Large-scale protests

In 2006, large-scale protests occurred, with citizens calling for a reduction in presidential powers and increased governmental transparency.

2006: Peak in tourism at Lake Issyk-Kul

The number of tourists visiting Lake Issyk-Kul, a popular destination in Kyrgyzstan, was more than a million a year in 2006 and 2007.

July 2007: Islam taking root

Bermet Akayeva stated during a July 2007 interview that Islam is increasingly taking root across the nation.

2007: Protests continue

In 2007, large-scale protests continued, with citizens calling for a reduction in presidential powers and increased governmental transparency.

2007: Peak in tourism at Lake Issyk-Kul

The number of tourists visiting Lake Issyk-Kul, a popular destination in Kyrgyzstan, was more than a million a year in 2006 and 2007.

September 2008: President Bakiyev Criticizes RFE/RL Programme

In September 2008, President Bakiyev criticized an RFE/RL program, while KTRK told RFE/RL that its programming was too negative.

October 2008: KTRK Stops Retransmitting RFE/RL Programming

KTRK stopped retransmitting RFE/RL programming in October 2008 after failing to broadcast a program called Inconvenient Questions.

November 2008: Parliament passes a law increasing the minimum number of adherents for recognizing a religion.

On 6 November 2008, the Kyrgyz parliament unanimously passed a law increasing the minimum number of adherents for recognizing a religion from 10 to 200. It also outlawed "aggressive action aimed at proselytism", and banned religious activity in schools and all activity by unregistered organizations.

December 2008: KTRK Requires Prior Submission of RFE/RL Programmes

In December 2008, the state-owned broadcast KTRK announced it would require prior submission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programmes.

2008: Kyrgyzstani Wrestlers Win Medals

Kyrgyzstani wrestlers won three medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

January 2009: Law signed by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev

On 12 January 2009, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed the law passed in November 2008 increasing the minimum number of adherents for recognizing a religion.

February 2009: Announcement of Manas Air Base Closure

On 3 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 Manas Air Base was reversed, allowing the Americans to remain under a new contract with increased rent.

2009: Adherence to Islam

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

2009: Eviction of the U.S. military from Manas Air Base announced

In 2009, Bakiyev announced the eviction of the U.S. military from the Manas Air Base.

2009: First Ice Hockey Championship Organized

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

2009: Government announced increases in electricity and heating tariffs

In 2009, the government announced significant increases in electricity and heating tariffs, leading to public discontent.

April 2010: Protests against President Bakiyev

In April 2010, widespread protests erupted against President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's administration, leading to his ousting.

June 2010: Referendum to adopt a new constitution

In June 2010, a referendum was held to adopt a new constitution aimed at reducing presidential powers and enhancing parliamentary authority.

June 2010: Ethnic clashes in Osh and Jalal-Abad

In June 2010, violent ethnic clashes occurred in the southern cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad between Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities, resulting in over 400 deaths and displacing thousands.

October 2010: Parliamentary elections

In October 2010, Kyrgyzstan held its first parliamentary elections under the new constitutional framework.

2010: Syr Darya River Status

As of 2010, the Syr Darya no longer reaches the Aral Sea due to upstream water withdrawal for irrigation.

2010: Arrests after the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots

Following the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan riots, dozens of prominent Uzbek religious and community leaders were arrested by security forces, including journalist and human-rights activist Azimzhan Askarov, in 2010. Also in 2010, Kyrgyzstani activist and journalist Azimzhan Askarov was sentenced to life in prison.

2010: April Uprising and Bakiyev's Overthrow

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

July 2011: Kyrgyzstan Joins IIHF

In July 2011, the Kyrgyzstan men's national ice hockey team joined the IIHF.

December 2011: Atambayev Inaugurated as President

On 1 December 2011, Almazbek Atambayev was sworn in as president, and Omurbek Babanov was appointed prime minister on the same day.

2011: Almazbek Atambayev elected president

In 2011, Almazbek Atambayev was elected president, serving until 2017.

2012: Identification as Sunni Muslim

A 2012 Pew survey report showed that only 23% of respondents to a questionnaire chose to identify themselves as Sunni, with 64% volunteering that they were "just a Muslim".

2012: Kyrgyzstan Participates in Bandy World Championship

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

June 2013: Law banning women under 23 from traveling abroad

In June 2013, the Kyrgyz parliament passed a law banning women under the age of 23 from traveling abroad without a parent or guardian, with the stated purpose of "increased morality and preservation of the gene pool."

2013: Gallup poll results

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

2013: Launch of the Belt and Road Initiative by China

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

2013: Ethnic Kyrgyz population percentage

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

June 2014: Closure of Transit Center at Manas

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

October 2014: Law imposing jail terms on gay-rights activists and journalists

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

2014: Russification of names

According to an RFE/RL article from 2014, despite the attempts to raise the status of Kyrgyz, thousands of Kyrgyz are russifying their names every year (around 40,000), mostly for career prospects, and to remove themselves from the Russian blacklists.

2014: US Military Withdrawal from Manas Air Base

The US military fully withdrew from Manas Air Base in 2014.

2015: Membership in the Eurasian Economic Union

In 2015, Kyrgyzstan became a full-fledged member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EES) after abolishing customs controls along its border with Kazakhstan.

2015: Eurasian Economic Union

In 2015, Kyrgyzstan joined the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), balancing its international trade commitments with regional integration.

September 2016: University of Central Asia Launched

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

December 2016: Abolition of Military Courts

In December 2016, military courts were abolished to streamline the judicial system and enhance civilian oversight.

2016: Centennial of the 1916 Uprising

In 2016, Kyrgyzstan commemorated the centennial of the 1916 uprising against Tsarist Russia, known as Urkun, by unveiling a monument at the Ata-Beyit memorial complex.

2016: Corruption Perception Index

In 2016, the Corruption Perception Index for Kyrgyzstan was 28 on a scale of 0 to 100.

January 2017: Reinstatement of life imprisonment for Azimzhan Askarov

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

October 2017: Sooronbay Jeenbekov Elected President

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

2017: Sooronbay Jeenbekov succeeded Atambayev as president

In 2017, Sooronbay Jeenbekov succeeded Atambayev as president, continuing efforts to strengthen democratic institutions.

2017: Muslim population

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

August 2019: Operation Against Former President 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 Score

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

August 2020: Population estimate

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

October 2020: President Jeenbekov Resigns

In October 2020, President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigned after protests caused by irregularities in parliamentary elections on 4 October 2020.

October 2020: Widespread Protests and Political Changes

In October 2020, widespread protests erupted due to disputed parliamentary election results, leading to the annulment of the elections and the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Sadyr Japarov was released and appointed as interim president and prime minister.

2020: Language spoken at home in Bishkek

According to World Values Survey in 2020, Russian was the language spoken at home for 55.6% of the population of Bishkek, and Kyrgyz was the second with 43.6%.

2020: Democracy Index and Freedom in the World report rankings

In 2020, Kyrgyzstan was classified as a "hybrid regime" in the Democracy Index, ranking 107th out of 167. It was also ranked "partly free" in the 2020 Freedom in the World report with a score of 39/100.

2020: Kyrgyzstani Wrestlers Win Medals

Kyrgyzstani wrestlers won three medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

January 2021: Japarov Elected President

In January 2021, Sadyr Japarov was elected as the new president.

January 2021: Constitutional Reforms Approved

In January 2021, a referendum approved constitutional reforms shifting the country's governance structure from a parliamentary to a presidential system, granting the president expanded powers.

March 2021: Russia Announces Plans for New Schools

In March 2021, Russia announced its plans to create approximately 30 new Russian-language schools in Kyrgyzstan.

April 2021: Constitutional Referendum

In April 2021, voters approved a new constitution that will give new powers to the president.

2021: Appointment of Akylbek Japarov as Prime Minister

Akylbek Japarov served as Prime Minister since 2021 until his dismissal in December 2024.

2021: Reversion to presidential system

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan reverted to a presidential system after existing as a unitary parliamentary republic and a semi-presidential republic.

2021: Violent Clashes with Tajikistan

In 2021, Kyrgyzstan's longstanding border disputes with neighboring Tajikistan escalated into violent clashes, notably around the town of Batken.

2021: Freedom in the World report ranking

Kyrgyzstan was ranked "not free" in the 2021 Freedom in the World report with a score of 28/100.

July 2022: International Sports Festival Pearl of Kyrgyzstan

From 15 June to 3 July 2022, the 6th International Sports Festival Pearl of Kyrgyzstan was held in Issyk-Kul region.

September 2022: Escalation of Border Disputes

In September 2022, Kyrgyzstan's border disputes with Tajikistan escalated into a six-day conflict around the town of Batken.

September 2022: Issyk-Kul Sports Games Held

In September 2022, the XXI International Issyk-Kul Sports Games (SCO + CIS) was held in Baktuu-Dolonotu village (Issyk-Kul).

2022: Regional supply routes redirection after Russia sanctions

After the 2022 sanctions on Russia, several regional supply routes were redirected through Kyrgyzstan, boosting the local economy.

2022: Mennonite population

As part of the historic Kyrgyzstan German minority, there were around 200 Mennonites in Kyrgyzstan in 2022.

2022: Railway Extension Construction Begins

In 2022, construction began on a new 186 km extension of the existing railway from Balykchy to Karakeche.

2022: China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway Announced

In 2022, the planned construction of a 523 km China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway was announced.

2022: Strong Macroeconomic performance

Kyrgyzstan demonstrated strong macroeconomic performance between 2022 and 2024. The country maintained a fiscal surplus for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024, reflecting prudent public financial management and stronger-than-expected revenue collection.

2022: Start of rapid economic growth

Kyrgyzstan registered rapid economic growth over 2022-2024, averaging 9% annually in real terms.

April 2023: Proposal to change the official script to Latin

In April 2023, Russia suspended dairy exports to Kyrgyzstan after the chairman of Kyrgyzstan's National Commission for the State Language and Language Policies, Kanybek Osmonaliev, proposed to change the official script from Cyrillic to Latin, but President Sadyr Japarov clarified that Kyrgyzstan had no plans to replace the Cyrillic alphabet.

June 2023: Railway between Balykchy and Bishkek Opened

In June 2023, a railway between Balykchy and Bishkek was officially opened.

2023: Number of Schools in Kyrgyzstan

As of 2023, Kyrgyzstan had 4.989 primary and secondary schools, including 445 in Bishkek, with the large majority (4.537) being public schools.

2023: Fiscal surplus maintained

Kyrgyzstan demonstrated strong macroeconomic performance between 2022 and 2024. The country maintained a fiscal surplus for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024, reflecting prudent public financial management and stronger-than-expected revenue collection.

February 2024: Closure of Kloop media organization

In February 2024, the independent investigative media organization Kloop was ordered shut down by the Kyrgyz courts, drawing criticism domestically and internationally.

April 2024: "Foreign Representatives" Law Enacted

In April 2024, a "foreign representatives" law came into effect, imposing strict government oversight on NGOs receiving foreign funding.

December 2024: Prime Minister Dismissed

In December 2024, President Japarov dismissed Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov, citing a transfer to another position, and appointed Adylbek Kasymaliyev as acting prime minister.

2024: Global Innovation Index ranking

In 2024, Kyrgyzstan was ranked 99th in the Global Innovation Index.

2024: Global Hunger Index score

In the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Kyrgyzstan has a score of 6.8, ranking 36th among 127 countries with sufficient data.

2024: Fiscal surplus maintained

Kyrgyzstan demonstrated strong macroeconomic performance between 2022 and 2024. The country maintained a fiscal surplus for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024, reflecting prudent public financial management and stronger-than-expected revenue collection.