Social Studies 9: Current Events Revolution in Egypt January/February 2011

Quick Facts About Egypt Established in 3100 B.C Today has a population of approximately 79 million Its people speak Arabic and 99% are Egyptian the country staged its first modern revolution in 1919 established independence in 1922 Continued instability due to remaining British influence led to a second revolution in 1952 the creation of the Egyptian Republic in 1953.

What's Going On In Egypt? inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia Protests started on Tuesday, January 25 thousands began taking to the streets to protest poverty, rampant unemployment, government corruption and autocratic governance of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for 30 years

What's Going On In Egypt? These were the first protests on such a large scale in Egypt since the 1970s Reasons for protest include: high unemployment, food shortages/high basic food prices (bread), no freedom of speech, no true free elections Approx. 300 dead in clashes so far

The President: Hosni Mubarak Has been president since 1981 (30 years) Has autocratic rule (ultimate authority like a dictator) Has been an ally of the United States for many years Refuses to resign presidency despite the continuing protests and violence in Egypt Says he will not run in next election

Vice President: Omar Suleiman Was appointed vice- president only last week (Jan 29) Was Director of EGID (Egypt’s intelligence agency) from Responsible for torture of many detainees over this time May become interim president if Mubarak resigns Not supported by majority of Egyptians

Mohamad ElBaradei An Egyptian law scholar and diplomat Awarded Nobel Peace Prize for his work with International Atomic Energy Agency (2005) Advocate for democracy Supports the revolution and believes Mubarak should resign May run for presidency during future election

What It's Being Called the Egyptian revolution is also referred to as the Egyptian Protests, Days of Rage, the Papyrus Revolution and the Lotus Revolution.

Timeline Tuesday, 1/25: Protests Begin, 'Day Of Rage’ Protests Begin, 'Day Of Rage’ Wednesday, 1/26: Second Day Of Protests Second Day Of Protests Thursday, 1/27: Egypt Shuts Down The Internet Egypt Shuts Down The Internet Friday, 1/28: Mubarak Speaks, Says He'll Form A New Government Mubarak Speaks, Says He'll Form A New Government Saturday, 1/29: Anonymous Internet Users Help Egypt Communicate Anonymous Internet Users Help Egypt Communicate

Timeline Sunday, 1/30: Al Jazeera In Cairo Shut Down Al Jazeera In Cairo Shut Down Sunday, 1/30: Hillary Clinton: Egypt Must Transition To Democracy Hillary Clinton: Egypt Must Transition To Democracy Monday, 1/31: Egypt's New Government Is Announced, Sworn In Egypt's New Government Is Announced, Sworn In Tuesday, 2/1: More Than A Million March and President Mubarak Says He Won't Run For Re- Election More Than A Million March and Wednesday, 2/2: Internet Service Returns In Egypt Internet Service Returns In Egypt Thursday, 2/3: Foreign Journalists Rounded Up Foreign Journalists Rounded Up

Timeline Friday, 2/4: "Day of Departure" Protests Held Across Egypt "Day of Departure" Protests Held Across Egypt Saturday, 2/5: Members Of Ruling Party (National Democratic Party) Leadership Resign Leadership Resign Sunday, 2/6: Government Agrees On Concessions Government Agrees On Concessions Monday, 2/7: Google Executive Released In Egypt Google Executive Released In Egypt