Timeline of Key Events in the Film
-
1895-1902
- British arrive in Kenya; Mombasa/Uganda Railroad established.
-
1940
- Wangari Maathai born, Central Highlands, Kenya.
- 1952
- The Land Freedom Army fought colonial rule. The first armed liberation
struggle against colonialism in Africa, it was called the “Mau Mau
Emergency” by the British.
- 1960
- Wangari wins Kennedy scholarship and begins university education in the
United States (through 1966).
- 1963
- Jomo Kenyatta named first prime minister of Kenya.
- 1964
- Republic of Kenya formed; Kenyatta becomes president.
- 1966
- Wangari Maathai becomes research assistant at University of Nairobi
- 1969
- Wangari Maathai marries Mwangi Mathai.
- 1971
- Wangari Maathai becomes first woman to receive a PhD in East & Central
Africa.
- 1971
- Wangari Maathai has first of three children.
- 1977
- Green Belt Movement founded by Wangari Maathai.
- 1977
- UN Conference on Desertification held.
- 1978
- President Kenyatta dies; Vice-President Daniel arap Moi appointed
president.
- 1979
- Wangari Maathai divorced.
- 1982
- President Moi establishes one-party state.
- 1982-92
- Opposition groups suppressed; many political arrests & imprisonments.
- 1989
- Times Tower project in Uhuru Park announced; protests organized by Green
Belt Movement.
- 1992
- Times Tower fence taken down; development project cancelled.
- 1992
- February: Freedom Corner March - Women’s vigil and protest of imprisoned
sons, started in Uhuru Park and continued for 11-months in All Saints
Cathedral, Nairobi. Call for multi-party elections.
- 1992
- Civic and Environmental Education workshops by the Green Belt Movement
begin in response to tribal clashes prior to elections.
- 1992
- December: First multi-party elections held in 26 years; Moi claims victory.
- 1998
- Karura Forest privatization protested.
- 1998
- Green Belt Movement starts planting only indigenous trees.
- 2002
- Multi-party elections; Moi defeated and a coalition government advocating
reforms.
- 2002
- Wangari Maathai elected to Parliament with 98% of the vote.
- 2004
- Wangari Maathai awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
For more information on Wangari Maathai’s life and the Green Belt Movement,
please see www.greenbeltmovement.com.
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