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- [00:00]
Lindsey Graham
There are more ways than ever to listen to History Daily ad free. Listen with Wondry plus in the Wondery app as a member of Noiser plus at Noizr.com or in Apple Podcasts. Or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts@intohristory.com It's March 16, 19, 1988, in Rangoon, the capital of Burma. A young woman cycles down a narrow back alley, her wheels splashing through puddles left by a recent monsoon. Somewhere in the distance, the sound of a thousand angry voices chanting in unison rises above the corrugated iron rooftops and hangs in the air like an electric charge. The young woman's heart rate quickens as she follows the rumbling noise. She turns a corner onto a tree lined road where thousands of demonstrators are marching with signs bearing Pro Democracy messages. The crowd is mostly students like her, young people angered by the corruption and violence of Burma's socialist dictatorship. The young woman abandons her bicycle and joins the demonstration, lending her voice to the spirited cries for democracy and freedom. She follows the flow of protesters onto a bridge over a lake, where a line of military vehicles forms a menacing blockade. As armed soldiers square up to the front line of protesters, there's a sudden screech of tires. The young woman spins around to see A fleet of police vans have appeared behind the demonstrators, trapping them on the bridge. Officers in riot gear start pushing and shoving the students, who suddenly have nowhere to run. Then a single gunshot rings out and a protester crumples to the ground, dead. Chaos ensues as the demonstrators panic and try to escape the bridge, but within seconds, bullets through the air. As the officers start firing indiscriminately into the crowd, a dark tide of blood courses over the concrete of the bridge. The young woman joins the frantic crush of fleeing students, but the police vans block them in, forcing them back with batons, assault rifles and tear gas. Her eyes stinging, the young woman is left to wonder if their dream of a free Burma will ever be achieved, or if it's doomed to die on this bridge. Since 1962, Burma has been suffering under the oppressive totalitarian rule of the socialist dictator General Ne Win. During that time, the Southeast Asian country has gone from a prosperous nation to one of the world's poorest. The corrupt government's isolationist economic policy has set Burma back several decades and created a generation of impoverished and disillusioned young people whose calls for democracy are only met with violence. The brutal crackdown against demonstrators in Rangoon will claim the lives of hundreds of students and become known as the White Bridge Massacre. But rather than spell the end of the uprising, these killings will only fuel the widespread feelings of anger and unrest already sweeping the country, ultimately galvanizing even more young people to rise up and demand change in Burma on August 8, 1988.
- [03:19]
Unknown Advertiser
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- [03:44]
Lily Chiu
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- [04:41]
Lindsey Graham
From Noiser and Airship, I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History. Daily history is made every day on this podcast. Every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is August 8, 1988 Burma's pro democracy uprising It's July 1988 inside an office in London, one month before the revolution in Burma, journalist Chris Gunness stifles a yawn while typing up a News report. The 29 year old is a rookie reporter on the Asia desk for the BBC World Service, the broadcaster's international branch. Chris joined the BBC straight after university with dreams of being sent overseas on exciting assignments. Instead, he spends his days in a dreary office in central London, filing inconsequential reports that few people will ever read. While he types, Chris is suddenly interrupted by a sharp knock on his cubicle partition. It's his editor wanting to know if Chris has heard the latest news from Burma. After years of rising discontent, the nation's students took to the streets of Rangoon in March to demand free elections. But the protest was violently suppressed by state police. And then the government announced today that an emergency congress would be convened at the end of the month to decide what steps should be taken to resolve the crisis. Chris tells his editor that he's been following all these events closely, and the editor nods. Then he clears his throat and says, we'd like you to travel to Burma immediately. We need somebody on the ground to report on events as they happen. Seeing Chris face light up, the editor quickly adds that they would have sent a more experienced reporter. But all the senior journalists are away on summer vacation. Chris is all they've got. Nevertheless, the following evening, Chris is elated to find himself in Burma's capital, sitting in the backseat of a taxi disguised as a backpacker. Though he barely slept on the 12 hour flight, he feels wide awake, his senses alert to every new sight, sound and smell. As the taxi weaves through narrow back alleys, Chris detects an edge to the night air, the feeling of something brewing just beneath the surface. The taxi pulls up outside his hotel, a crumbling, rat infested building on the banks of the Rangoon River. Chris enters the lobby and collects his key from the unsmiling concierge. Up in his cramped room, he lies down on the springy bed and tries to get some sleep. Over the course of the next few days, Chris brings himself up to date with developments in Burma. He reaches out to journalist contacts and embassy staff. He even questions bartenders and pedestrians anyone who might be able to shed some light on the complex political situation. But he isn't able to glean any useful information. Then, a few days after Chris's arrival in Burma, the government convenes the Emergency Congress. There, the country's dictator, General Ne Win, makes a shock. He is resigning as party chairman and calling for a referendum on whether to return to a multi party system of government. The people of Burma don't know how to react. They can't believe that the dictator would reverse his stance so abruptly and so absolutely. And sure enough, the General's promises prove hollow. He resigns as party chairman, but he doesn't make way for a democratic transition. He hands the role of chairman to one of his loyal deputies, the widely reviled General St. Luin, whose notoriety as a brutal enforcer of state law has earned him the nickname the Butcher of Rangoon. Following this change in leadership, the widespread feeling of anger only increases. Chris monitors the situation closely and broadcasts his dispatches via the BBC Burmese service. With most national media organizations controlled by the dictatorship, Chris becomes one of the few sources of accurate information available to the people of Burma, and they take note. One afternoon, Chris returns to his hotel room to find an anonymous note on his bed. It reads, be at the entrance of the Sulay Pagoda at 9 tomorrow. We have news for you. So the following morning, Chris packs his tape recorder and notebook and arrives at the pagoda at the appointed time. There, he's met by a group of students. Students usher him into a waiting car and drive him to a safe house on the outskirts of the city. Once inside, Chris turns on his tape recorder and interviews the students. They inform him that they are leading an underground resistance movement, planning a general strike to take place. At eight minutes past eight on the eighth day of the eighth month of 1988, Chris will smuggle the cassette tapes back to the BBC in London, and from there the recording of the interview will be broadcast across Burma and spreading information about the planned uprising on the eighth day of the eighth month. And though Chris doesn't know it at the time, his interview will prove to be the spark that lights a revolution.
- [09:46]
Unknown Advertiser
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- [10:36]
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- [11:36]
Lindsey Graham
8Am on August 8, 1988, in Rangoon, Burma. College student Bo Chi marches in the midst of an agitated crowd. Everywhere he looks, the streets teem with demonstrators from all walks of life. There are students, of course, but also dock workers, monks, lawyers, all assembled to protest against Burma's corrupt dictatorship. Rows of heavily armed police officers watch on, unsure how to react because the atmosphere is festive and celebratory. The marchers bellow the national anthem and traditional military songs. Some kiss the police officers feet, encouraging them to lay down their weapons and join this popular uprising against the tyrannical government. Ever since the BBC broadcasting interview with a group of student revolutionaries, thousands of Burmese citizens have been preparing to rise up on the appointed day, the 8th of August. All across the country, workers unions formed strike committees and made arrangements to down their tools and take to the streets. Pamphlets denouncing the government were circulated. Posters were plastered across lampposts and buildings, each depicting the insignia of the revolution, a white star and a fighting peacock. The whole country feels united against a common enemy, the military strongman who has been oppressing Burma for decades. Bo Qi raises his fist and joins the rousing cries for democracy as the demonstrators continue throughout the city. They are headed for the Shwetagon Pagoda, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Burma. But as they approach the giant golden structure, the march suddenly comes to a halt. Bo Qi cranes his neck to see what's caused the obstruction, then discovers it's a military roadblock. Up ahead, the front line of protestors seem to be negotiating with the soldiers, demanding to be let through. But the soldiers refuse, driving back the demonstrators with the muzzles of their guns. Bo Chi feels a stab of unease as he watches the situation grow increasingly tense in his outgoing address. A few days ago, the former dictator, General Ne Win, warned the people of Burma that when the army shoots, it shoots to kill. Before that can happen, the demonstrators turn around and reconvene outside city Hall. There, the protest songs and chants continue long into the night. Groups of soldiers and police officers watch on warily, their guns ready at their hips. And it's in the early hours of the morning that the uneasy tension between these two groups finally spills over into violence. Confrontation breaks out between authorities and the demonstrators. More soldiers arrive and start firing into the crowd. The Screams of the wounded resound in Bo Chi's ears. Some of the protesters start hurling bricks at the soldiers. There's a loud smashing sound, followed by a fiery explosion as someone throws a Molotov cocktail. O Chi watches in horror as the demonstration descends into chaos and confusion. And as more military vehicles screech into the square, Bochi joins the other demonstrators and runs for his life. Over the course of the next five days, the government's crackdown against the demonstrations becomes increasingly brutal. People continue to march and protest against the dictatorship, but the military does not hesitate to use violence to break them up. By the end of this period of civil unrest, an estimated 3,000 demonstrators are dead and thousands more are thrown in prison and tortured. It seems the revolution has been suppressed. But a few days later, on the outskirts of Rangoon, Aung San SUU Kyi listens anxiously to the radio from her mother's bedside. The 43 year old is the daughter of a Burmese politician who led the fight for Burma's independence from Britain in the 1940s. But rather than follow her father's footsteps into politics, Suu Kyi left Burma to pursue an academic career overseas. But when her mother fell ill recently, SUU Kyi returned. Despite the political turmoil that's turned Burma's streets into a war zone, SUU Kyi clutches her mother's frail hand as she listens to the latest death toll statistics on the radio. She feels an intense anger when she thinks about what's happened to her country, the country that her father helped liberate from colonial occupation. The tyrannical military regime has brought nothing but subjugation and misery to the people. And SUU Kyi knows what the democracy movement needs is a strong leader to unite behind someone like her father. She stands and walks over to the window. A crackle of distant gunfire sends a flock of birds spiraling into the summer sky. As the startled birds flap their wings, SUU Kyi's dark, fiercely intelligent eyes flash with a sudden idea. Perhaps fate has brought her back to Burma at this moment of upheaval for a reason. This thought will change the course of SUU Kyi's life and the fate of Burma. Forever compelled to join the revolutionary movement, Aung San SUU Kyi will soon emerge as the figurehead of democracy in Burma and the bright hope of the nation's future.
- [16:32]
Nick
Hey, Jack, I got some trivia for you. You ready? Nice. Which company's iconic fleece jacket was inspired by a toilet seat cover? Gotta be Patagonia. What's next? Okay, which sneaker was banned by the NBA, but then became the most iconic basketball shoe in history. Air Jordans. Come on, give me something hard. All right. What energy drink used to plant empty cans in in nightclubs to fake its own popularity? That was Red Bull. Legendary move by a legendary brand. Instant classic. This is Nick and this is Jack. We're best friends, ex finance guys and resident 90s cultural experts. And every week on our podcast, the Best Idea yet, we explore the untold origin stories behind the products you're obsessed with and the bold risk takers who made them go viral. From the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the iPhone to the most powerful force in business, Costco's Kirkland brand. Follow the Best Idea yet on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcast. You can listen early and ad free right now by joining Wondery Plus. And if this podcast lasts longer than 45 minutes, call your doctor.
- [17:32]
Jack
How hard is it to kill a planet? Maybe all it takes is a little drilling, some mining, and a whole lot of carbon pumped into the atmosphere. When you see what's left, it starts to look like a crime scene.
- [17:44]
Lindsey Graham
Are we really safe? Is our water safe? You destroyed our tap.
- [17:48]
Jack
And crimes like that, they don't just happen.
- [17:51]
Lindsey Graham
We call things accidents. There is no accident.
- [17:54]
Unknown Advertiser
This was 100% preventable.
- [17:57]
Jack
They're the result of choices by people. Ruthless oil tycoons, corrupt politicians, even organized crime. These are the stories we need to be telling about our changing planet. Stories of scams, murders and cover ups that are about us and the things we're doing to either protect the earth or destroy it. Follow Lawless Planet on the Wondry app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes of Lawless Planet early and ad free right now by joining Wondry plus in the Wondry app, Apple Podcasts or Spot.
- [18:39]
Lindsey Graham
It's August 26, 1988, in Burma, two weeks after Pro democracy demonstrations were violently suppressed by the military. Aung San SUU Kyi stands on a raised podium outside the Shwetigan Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in Rangoon. A crowd of half a million people are gathered to hear her speak. As the daughter of Burma's independence hero, Aung San SUU Kyi is seen as an almost mythical figure, a deity sent down to deliver democracy to the people. As she looks out at her vast audience, SUU Kyi's gaze is steely and determined. She glances down at her script resting on the lectern. Then she leans forward and speaks into the microphone, declaring, I believe that all the people who have Assembled here have come with the unshakable desire to strive for a multi party democratic system. In order to arrive at this objective, all the people must march unitedly in a disciplined manner toward the goal of democracy. The crowd roars their approval. SUU Kyi urges her supporters to continue their brave struggle for free and fair elections without resorting to violence. And by the end of her long speech, Burma's pro democracy movement has a new leader to rally behind. In September, the government convenes a new Congress in which 90% of the socialist Party delegates vote to hold multi party elections. The widely despised military dictator, General Saint Lewin resigns and an election is scheduled for a brief period. It seems as though democracy might prevail. But such optimistic feelings don't last long. Just a few days after the congress, a military coup takes place. Another belligerent general seizes power and repeals the national constitution. He establishes a new the State Law and Order Restoration Council and imposes martial law across Burma, brutally cracking down on any dissent. SUU Kyi and her supporters form a rival party, the National League for Democracy, which quickly gains tremendous support among the masses. In 1990, the government finally concedes to the people's demands and holds a general election in which SUU Kyi and the National League for Democracy win win by a landslide. But the results of the election are voided by the military government and Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest. Aung San Suu Kyi will remain under house arrest for 15 years, during which time she will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous campaigning for democracy in Burma, or Myanmar as the country is now known. Following years of outcry from the international community, Suu Kyi will eventually be released in 2010, whereupon she will be elected as leader of the opposition. In 2015, she will lead her National League for Democracy to victory in Myanmar's first openly contested election in 25 years. For the next half decade, Suu Kyi will encounter her own struggles, receiving criticism for not making enough democratic reforms and for not doing enough to address the long standing conflicts and human rights abuses against the country's ethnic minority groups. Still, in 2020, the National League for Democracy will win another landslide victory and prepare to form the next government. But again, the military will dispute the election results, claiming voting fraud. They will depose SUU Kyi in another coup and sentence her to prison, a startling repeat of history for a leader that played a vital role in shaping the future of a democratic Myanmar. Following the so called Four Eights uprising on August 8, 1988. Next on History Daily. August 11, 1950. The alleged traitor Ethel Rosenberg is arrested on allegations of spying for the Soviet Union from Neuser and Airship. This is History Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohamed Shazid Sound design by Misha Stanton Music by Lindsey Graham. This episode is written and researched by Joe Viner. Executive producers are Alexandra Curry Buckner for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.
- [22:58]
Unknown Advertiser
Before the Internet ruled Our Lives, AOL brought America online with email and instant messenger. By 2000, AOL was so powerful it bought media giant Time Warner. This was a deal that was supposed to bring us into the future, revolutionize media. But instead, it became one of the messiest corporate disasters in history. So what went wrong? The dot com crash? Culture clashes? Or something deeper? Business wars gives you a front row seat to the biggest moments in business and how they shape our world. Because when your flight perks disappear, your favorite restaurant chain goes bankrupt, or new tech threatens to reshape everything overnight, you can bet there's a deeper story behind the headlines. Make sure to follow Business wars on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcast. And you can binge all episodes of Business the AOL Time Warner Disaster early and ad free right now on Wondery Plus.