The Rose Revolution was a peaceful popular uprising in Georgia that forced President Eduard Shevardnadze from office after a disputed parliamentary election. Opposition leaders Mikheil Saakashvili, Zurab Zhvania and Nino Burjanadze organized mass demonstrations in Tbilisi, accusing the government of fraud and of widespread corruption. The protests reached a climax when demonstrators led by Saakashvili entered the parliament building holding roses, which gave the movement its name. Shevardnadze, a former Soviet foreign minister, resigned rather than use force. Saakashvili was elected president in early 2004 and carried out reforms against corruption, while his government's later years saw growing criticism. The event inspired other so-called colour revolutions in the former Soviet space.
Before and after
- 12 December 2002Release of Wiktionary
- 2003Rise of Anonymous
- 20032003 European heat wave
- 2003Construction of Three Gorges Dam
- 2003Rose Revolution
- 2003Launch of Mars Exploration Rover
- 2003Creation of Puppy Linux
- 2003Creation of Scratch
- from 2003 to 2006Serbia and Montenegro
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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.