Twelve years have passed since protests toppled Hosni Mubarak.
On January 25, 2011, Egyptian protests began.
Tunisia’s movement, which overthrew the government, emboldened protesters in the Arab world’s most populous nation.
“Down with corruption, autocracy, dictators.” Egyptians increasingly chanted for the fall of 30-year-old President Hosni Mubarak.
Amnesty International reported around 840 deaths during the protests, which led to Mubarak’s resignation on February 11.
Egypt’s first free and fair presidential election was followed by a 2013 military coup that reversed many of the revolution’s victories.
Egyptians remember and are inspired by the revolt.
Egypt’s 18-day revolution chronology:
January 25
On a national police day, thousands of Egyptians protested in downtown Cairo. Nationwide protests were similar.
After a few hours of peace, police sprayed tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators.
Before Friday prayers, Internet and mobile services were blocked nationwide.
Cairo, Suez, and Alexandria had thousands of police to repress anti-government protests. Riots resumed overnight.
January 31 Protesters defied the military curfew. 250,000 people marched in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and hundreds in Alexandria.
State TV announced Mubarak’s new cabinet.
February 2 saw preparations for more anti-Mubarak protests. The army maintained tank positions near Tahrir Square in central Cairo.
According to Reuters, officials reported at least three deaths and 1,500 injuries, some critical.
Pro-democracy protestors reported the military allowed thousands of pro-Mubarak supporters with sticks and knives into the square.
4.
“Day of Departure” protesters assembled in Tahrir Square.
As the country reached its 11th day of instability and enormous protests, Mubarak-out chants filled the square.
Tahrir Square protesters raged. They waved their shoes and demanded the troops rebel.
Feb. 11
After 18 days of protests, Vice President Omar Suleiman stated that Mubarak will resign and relinquish control to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
These 30 seconds ended 30 years of Mubarak’s dictatorship in Egypt:
The revolution brought instability as the economy deteriorated and public dissent was repressed. In 2012, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi won the country’s first democratic elections, bringing change.
Within a year, Abdel Fattah el-military Sisi’s overthrew Morsi and barred the Muslim Brotherhood from politics.
