Egypt Timeline: What Got Us Here

Hosni Mubarak's resignation is a landmark for a people that have been struggling under undemocratic rule for decades. Here's a timeline of the last 18 days, and the century of conflict that pushed Egyptians towards revolution.

The following is a timeline of the 2011 Egyptian protests. For a more complete timeline of modern Egypt, skip to the second page.

2011:

Jan. 25
After years of living under a stagnating economy and a politically repressive regime, millions of Egyptians take to the streets in mass protests inspired by the “Jasmine Revolution” that ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on Jan. 14. Mubarak attempts to placate demonstrators by shuffling his cabinet, but protesters say they will remain on the streets until he steps down.

Jan. 26
In an apparent bid to stop protests before they gain momentum, Egyptian security officials vow to immediately crackdown on any signs of unrest on the streets. Despite detaining 200 protesters in Cairo, the police cannot stop mass demonstrations from going ahead.

Jan. 27
Nobel laureate and leading opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei returns from abroad to join protests in Cairo.

Jan. 28
One million people take to the streets of Cairo in demonstrations dubbed “the Day of Anger.” The government suspends internet and phone service across the entire country in an effort to hinder the demonstrators’ organization, to little effect. Plainclothes police officers are reportedly roaming the streets and beating people with sticks, fueling violence that has killed seven people since protests began. By the end of the day, the headquarters of the ruling National Democratic Party is in flames and thousands of people remain on the streets in defiance of a government-imposed curfew. Police disappear from the streets and the army is called in.

Jan. 29
Mubarak reorganizes his government in a move designed to show he is serious about reforms. For the first time since assuming power he appoints a vice president, Omar Suleiman, and also appoints Ahmad Shafik as his new prime minister. Riots and demonstrations at prisons across the country result in inmates making mass escapes.

Jan. 30
The army is deployed to guard strategic sites throughout the country, but is stretched too thin to patrol residential neighbourhoods. Civilians form vigilante groups to guard their communities in a clear sign that the government has lost its ability to police its population. Despite receiving orders from the government to use live ammunition on protesters, the military issues statements saying it will not fire on its own people.

Jan. 31
The Canadian government charters two planes that, after extensive delays, leave Cairo’s airport carrying about 100 Canadian nationals to Frankfurt, Germany.

Feb. 1
A day of protests billed as “the March of Millions” sees a reported two million people flood Cairo’s Tahrir Square and the surrounding vicinity in the biggest demonstrations yet. As rumours circulate that the people will march on Hosni Mubarak’s presidential palace, the military places barbed wire around the perimeter of his residence. Late in the evening Mubarak announces in a televised speech that he will not seek reelection in the presidential election scheduled for September, signaling his intent to step down in seven months.

Feb. 2
The army permits pro-Mubarak supporters to enter Tahrir Square and clash with anti-government protesters who have stayed there overnight. Men on horseback armed with whips and clubs charge through the square, and demonstrators fight running battles with groups rumoured to contain plainclothes policemen. Violence throughout the day raises the death toll to 300 since unrest began.

Feb. 4
Protesters step up their efforts with demonstrations dubbed the “Day of Departure,” demanding Mubarak resign by the end of the day. The media reports that the U.S. government is in high-level talks with Egyptian officials to engineer Mubarak’s departure and the creation of an interim government.

Feb. 5
Hosni Mubarak’s son Gamal, once seen as a possible successor to the presidency, resigns his government post.

Feb. 8
Demonstrators again stream into Tahrir Square in record numbers, rejecting concessions the government had made in previous days, which included raising civil servants’ salaries by 15 per cent and hiring large numbers of the unemployed. For the first time protests take place outside the national parliament buildings. Suleiman issues a statement urging Egyptians to resume their normal lives, saying that the country cannot sustain the disruption of its economy for much longer.

Feb. 9
Protesters spend the night outside the parliament buildings and general strikes are held across the country in what organizers call the “second phase” of the Egyptian uprising.

Feb. 10
Late in the evening, government sources say that Mubarak is about to make an important speech on national television. Excitement builds as rumours circulate he will announce his resignation. Instead, he announces that he has delegated some authority to his vice president but will remain on Egyptian soil until he is buried beneath it. Incensed protesters remain on the streets in large numbers and move towards the presidential palace.

Feb. 11
Protesters surround Mubarak’s presidential palace demanding that he leave. It is reported that he has fled to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. At 18:00 GMT, Omar Suleiman makes a brief televised statement that Mubarak has resigned and handed over power to the armed forces, sparking a massive celebrations on the streets of Egypt. Shortly after, the military issues a statement saying it will usher the country towards democratic elections, which could take up to a year to organize.