The Gezi Park protests began as a small sit-in in Istanbul, when environmental activists tried to stop the demolition of Gezi Park near Taksim Square, which was to be replaced by a reconstruction of Ottoman-era barracks and a shopping centre. After a harsh police response, using tear gas and water cannon, the protests spread across Turkey and turned into a broader movement against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was accused of authoritarianism and of interfering in lifestyle choices. Millions of people took part in demonstrations in dozens of cities, and several protesters and a police officer died. The government rejected the protesters' demands and many were later prosecuted. The events marked a turning point in Turkish politics.
Before and after
- 15 April 2013Boston Marathon bombings
- May 2013Discovery of Kepler-62 f
- May 2013Discovery of Happisburgh footprints
- May 2013Carbon dioxide passes 400 ppm at Mauna Loa
- 28 May 2013Gezi Park protests
- 1 July 2013Discovery of Hippocamp
- 3 July 20132013 Egyptian coup d'état
- 9 July 2013Release of Dota 2
- 13 July 2013Rise of Black Lives Matter
More in Wars, politics & history
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- from 5 June 1967 to 10 June 1967Six-Day War
- from 2 August 1990 to 28 February 1991Gulf War
- 20 February 2014Russo-Ukrainian war
- 31 January 2020Brexit
- 7 October 2023Gaza War
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 21st century.