Timeline of Egypt’s Revolution

January 2011

January 25^th: The first day of nationwide protests against the government of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Tens of thousands attended the protests which were relatively peaceful. Twitter blocked for a few hours.

January 26^th: Internet and mobile communications black out. Egyptian students are enraged as they are no longer able to procrastinate on Facebook.

January 28^th: The “Friday of Rage” marked huge nationwide protests. The police withdrew, the government was dissolved, and the military took control. Reports of looting and thugs spread.

February 2011

February 1^st: Mubarak makes televised address pledging not to run for another term in the planned elections. Anti- and Pro-Mubarak groups clash.

February 2^nd: The “Battle of the Camel.” Pro-government supporters rode camels and horses into Tahrir Square hoping to quash the protests. It was rather humorous to see a stereotype – Egyptians riding camels in the streets and using them to protest – being carried out. Recently, government officials charged with orchestrating the attack have been cleared and found innocent due to evidence showing that no deaths occurred (contrary to popular belief and media reports).

February 3-9^th: Negotiations between government and opposition groups are largely unfruitful. Some unconfirmed reports of deaths from clashes between security forces and protesters. Police stations burnt down and several prison breaks reported.

February 10^th: “Mubarak has resigned!” At least that is what many media outlets (both local and foreign) believed was going to happen during his planned televised address. Instead, he offered many powers to his new Vice President, Omar Suleiman. Mubarak warns against fall of security and fall of the country in wrong hands and an impending downfall (ironically, his warnings about the Islamists taking control, huge security vacuum, and other problems turned out to be true!)

February 11^th: “Mubarak has resigned…For real this time!” At 6:00pm local time, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced Mubarak’s resignation and that the Supreme Council of Armed Forces was to assume leadership. This is considered to be the last day of the ‘on going revolution,’ as thousands celebrated in Tahrir Square. Democracy achieved! Or so everyone thought…the next year (up until now) there have been doubts as to what exactly the revolution achieved.