Egypt revolution

Egypt's Road to Freedom

  • Beginning of the Revolution

    Beginning of the Revolution
    20,000 Egyptians inspired by the revolt in Tunisia fill the streets of Cairo to protest the country's ruler, Hosni Mubarak. 3 people killed and 49 wounded.
  • Water Cannons and Tear Gas

    Water Cannons and Tear Gas
    After the thousands of protesters returned after the first day, the Egyptian government put water cannons and tear gas into use. 90 arrests and 27 wounded.
  • No Internet or Texts

    No Internet or Texts
    The police arrest the leader of the protests, also the leader of the influential Muslim Brotherhood. The Egyptian government shuts down the internet and text-message service, which is what started the revolt in the first place.
  • Headquarters Set Fire

    Headquarters Set Fire
    Protestors hit the streets of Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria demanding that Mubarak surrender his power. They set Mubarak's headquarters on fire, and Mubarak sends the army to the streets to end the protest. Tear gas used, first time since 1985 army was used to end domestic unrest.
  • Vice President

    Vice President
    Mubarak gives a speech to the people announcing he has appointed Omar Suleiman as his vice president -- the first since Mubarak took office -- to comply with the peoples' demands. But the protestors still not satisfied. 31 killed.
  • Possibility for Reform.... but no more cell phones?

    Possibility for Reform.... but no more cell phones?
    The night before the "March of Millions" planned by the protestors. Suleiman claims that they have been discussing plans for reform. Government takes away internet and mobile phone service.
  • Mubarak Not Stepping Down

    Mubarak Not Stepping Down
    Mubarak addresses the people and says he will not run for another term in the next elections in September, but he will not step down in his current term. Protestors in Tahrir Square take off their shoes and wave them in the air, an insult to the Arab world. They say they will not stop protesting until Mubarak steps down.
  • International Press

    International Press
    Pro-Mubarak and Anti-Mubarak supporters battle in Tahrir Square. Egyptian government start to question if they want the international press present at the protest. Mubarak comments to ABC that he would step down, but his immediate resignation would cause Egypt to plummet even further into chaos.
  • Human Chain, Google exec Wael Ghonim

    Human Chain, Google exec Wael Ghonim
    Egyptians in Tahrir Square form a human chain and say they will not break it until Mubarak leaves. Google executive Wael Ghonim, who had an important role in the start of the revolution, was released after declared missing on January 28 -- he had been in the government's custody the entire time.
  • Constitution Committee

    Constitution Committee
    Suleiman addresses the people and says that a committee has been created to revise the Egyptian Constitution to allow free and fair elections. The protestors in Tahrir Square still won't budge, and still aren't satisfied.
  • Power to Suleiman

    Power to Suleiman
    Mubarak tells the people that he is passing all power to Suleiman, but that he will remain in office. The people do not accept this because both men are practically the same. This news ignites their spirits again, and railway and telecommunications workers go on strike and demand better compensation.
  • Mubarak Flees

    Mubarak Flees
    Mubarak flees Cairo, Suleiman announces Mubarak's resignation. All power left to Supreme Council of Armed Forces. Protesters rejoice.