Egyptian Revolution
TIMELINE OF KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Tuesday, 1/25: First Day Of Demonstrations
Thursday, 1/27: Egypt Shuts Down The Internet
Friday, 1/28: President Mubarak Speaks, Says He'll Form A New Government
Monday, 1/31: Egypt's New Government Is Announced.
Tuesday, 2/1: President Mubarak Says He Won't Run For Re-Election
Friday, 2/4: "Day of Departure" Protests Held Across Egypt
Saturday, 2/5: Members Of Ruling Party Leadership Resign
Sunday, 2/6: Government Agrees On Concessions
Tuesday, 2/8: Freed Activist Energizes Protests
Wednesday, 2/9: Widespread Labor Strikes Throughout Egypt
Thursday, 2/10: Despite Rumors,President Mubarak Refuses To Step Down
Friday, 2/11: President Mubarak Resigns As President, Leaves Cairo
The 2011 Egyptian Revolution took place following a popular uprising that began on 25 January 2011 which featured a series of demonstrations, marches, acts of civil disobedience, labor strikes, and violent clashes between protestors and security services and supporters of the regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Protests took place in Cairo, Alexandria, and other cities in Egypt, following the Tunisian Revolution that saw the overthrow of the long time Tunisian president.
Millions of protesters from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and religions demanded the overthrow of the regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
On 11 February, Mubarak resigned from office following weeks of determined popular protest and pressure.
Grievances of Egyptian protesters focused on legal and political issues including police brutality, state of emergency laws, lack of free elections and freedom of speech, uncontrollable corruption, as well as economic issues including high unemployment, food price inflation, and low minimum wages.
The primary demands from protest organizers are the end of the President Hosni Mubarak regime, the end of Emergency Law (martial law), freedom, justice, a responsive non-military government, and a say in the management of Egypt's resources.
Strikes by labor unions added to the pressure on government officials.
The capital city of Cairo was described as "a war zone," and the port city of Suez has been the scene of frequent violent clashes. The government imposed a curfew that protesters defied and that the police and military did not enforce.
The presence of Egypt's Central Security Forces police, loyal to President Mubarak, was gradually replaced by largely restrained military troops.
The presence of Egypt's Central Security Forces police, loyal to President Mubarak, was gradually replaced by largely restrained military troops.
In the absence of police, there was looting by gangs that opposition sources said were instigated by plainclothes police officers. In response, civilians self-organised watch groups to protect neighbourhoods.
The Egyptian Revolution, along with Tunisian events, has influenced demonstrations in other Arab countries including Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan and Libya.
President Mubarak dissolved his government and appointed military figure and former head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate Omar Suleiman as Vice-President in an attempt to quell dissent.President Mubarak asked aviation minister and former chief of Egypt's Air Force, Ahmed Shafik, to form a new government.
On 11 February, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that President Mubarak would be stepping down as president and turning power over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
The junta, headed by effective head of state Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, announced on 13 February that the constitution would be suspended, both houses of parliament dissolved, and that the military would rule for six months until elections could be held.
The prior cabinet, including Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, would continue to serve as a caretaker government until a new one is formed. Shafik resigned on 3 March 2011, a day before major protests to get him to step down were planned; he was replaced by Essam Sharaf, the former transport minister.
