Thu Oct 4, 3:29 PM ET

Key events in life of Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi:


• June 19, 1945: Born in Rangoon, main city now known as Yangon.

• January 1947: Britain agrees to give Burma independence after negotiations with Suu Kyi's father, nationalist leader Gen. Aung San.

• July 1947: Aung San and six members of interim government assassinated by rivals.

• January 1948: Burma gets independence.

• 1960: After finishing high school, Suu Kyi leaves to study in India, then England.

• 1972: Marries Michael Aris, Oxford University academic. Son Alexander born in 1973, son Kim born in 1977.

• 1988: Returns to tend dying mother. Emerges as pro-democracy leader during anti-junta protests, which end with troops slaughtering demonstrators. Helps found National League for Democracy Party.

• July 1989: Suu Kyi and deputy Tin Oo put under house arrest.

• May 1990: Junta holds election, but refuses to hand over power after Suu Kyi's party wins by landslide.

• October 1991: Suu Kyi awarded Nobel Peace Prize for pro-democracy efforts.

• July 1995: Released from house arrest, but stays in Myanmar.

• March 1999: Husband, who had not been allowed to visit Suu Kyi in three years, dies from cancer in England.

• September 2000: Suu Kyi put back under house arrest.

• May 2002: Released from house arrest.

• May 2003: Put in "protective custody" after her motorcade attacked by government-backed mob.

• Aug. 19, 2007: Protests start over fuel price hikes, then swell in following month into largest pro-democracy demonstrations since 1988.

• Sept. 22, 2007: Suu Kyi greets protesters marching past her house, making first public appearance in more than four years.