Burma: one year ago, the Safrron Revolution...

It was dubbed the Saffron Revolution. Last September thousands of monks marched down the streets of Rangoon to call for democratic change. 

They pledged to "wipe the military dictatorship from the land of Burma", and as the days went by increasing numbers of civilians joined their cause. 

Hope began to flicker that the repressive military regime, which had been in power for more than 40 years, would finally be overthrown. 

Then, on 26 September, the military's patience ran out. It launched a brutal crackdown, shooting and beating the protesters into submission. 

By the end of 27 September at least 30 people were dead and thousands of monks were imprisoned or fled the country. The dream of a revolution was over. More...

See also:

• Burmese democracy veteran freed in "loving kindness" gesture...
• Aung San Suu Kyi is 63 today ... and has spent the last 18 years under house arrest.
• Burma: this regime is good at killing people, not at helping them...
• Hitler is alive in Burma, says Ellen Page...