Democracy Timeline of Events

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Democracy

Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...

Timeline of Events

1978

12.27.1978

Spain becomes a democracy after 40 years of dictatorship.

1983

12.10.1983

Democracy is restored in Argentina with the assumption of President Raúl Alfonsín.

1989

5.20.1989

The Chinese authorities declare martial law in the face of pro-democracy demonstrations, setting the scene for the Tiananmen Square massacre.

10.9.1989

In Leipzig, East Germany, 70,000 protesters demand the legalisation of opposition groups and democratic reforms.

1991

5.31.1991

Bicesse Accords in Angola lay out a transition to multi-party democracy under the supervision of the United Nations' UNAVEM II mission.

1997

11.16.1997

After nearly 18 years of incarceration, the People's Republic of China releases Wei Jingsheng, a pro-democracy dissident, from jail for medical reasons.

2008

3.24.2008

Bhutan officially becomes a democracy, with its first ever general election.