Lost Child
Sayon's Journey
1953:
Cambodia wins Independence from France.
1965:
King Sihanouk breaks off relations with the US, allows North Vietnamese to set up bases in Cambodia.
1970:
US begins secret bombing of Cambodia, destabilizing the country.
red areas show bombing sites of US forces
1970:
King Sihanouk ousted, US-backed General Lon Nol assumes power (middle).
Early 1970:
Cambodian army faces two enemies: North Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge guerillas.
1975:
Cambodia falls to the Khmer Rouge. About 2 million people are executed, or die of overwork and/or starvation from 1975-1979
children waiting for food
1979:
Vietnamese forces take over Phnom Penh. Khmer Rouge flee.
Khmer Rouge troups led into jungle by leader Pol Pot
An exhumed mass grave of Pol Pot’s victimsÂ