Numbers

The “Four Eights” of Burmese History

How It's Used

"Karens and Burmans have lived side by side for centuries and will continue to do so. When the students and citizens of Burma demonstrated on the day of the four eights—8/8/88—the Ne Win government mercilessly slaughtered thousands, as Amnesty International has recently documented. Many students escaped to the border areas under minority control, where they have been welcomed as equal participants in the pro-democracy struggle. General Bo Mya sheltered them, providing food and medicines. Those students who wanted to take up armed resistance received training."

"As it happens, the anniversary of the 1988 student uprising passed without too much incident. But if the generals were nervous about the anniversary of the four eights (the eighth day of the eighth month of the 88th year), then this Thursday, the day of the four nines (the ninth day of the ninth month of the 99th year), promises to test the nerves of the regime's most paranoid and superstitious.

"Earlier this week, the BBC World Service reported that 'rumours of the 9-9-99 mass uprising' are 'circulating widely in Myanmar.' The report went on to note that an 'increasing number of politicians had been arrested by the State Peace and Development Council. Travel restrictions, religious and social problems, and widespread dissemination of propaganda leaflets are prompting the general public to believe that the 9-9-99 uprising will take place.'"

"At 8:08 a.m. on Aug. 8, 1988—known as the 'Four Eights,' or 8/8/88, a date the Burmese had chosen for its numerological significance—a nationwide pro-democracy strike was called. Hundreds of thousands of students, civil servants and monks poured into the streets, ecstatic with the prospect of an end to one-party rule. Around midnight, President Sein Lwin ordered troops to fire.

"In the aftermath, Suu Kyi wrote an open letter to the government, proposing a committee be formed to take the country toward multiparty elections. Then she wrote a speech that was to propel her onto the political stage."

Also Known As (AKA)

8888 Uprising

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