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| 1999, June 7 |
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| Indonesia had its first free parliamentary elections in 44 years. Led by Megawati Sukarnoputri, the Indonesian Democracy Party-Struggle (PDI-P) made great gains on the ruling Golkar Party. | 1 |
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| Aug. 30 |
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| In a UN-led referendum, the people of East Timor voted overwhelmingly for independence (by 79 percent). The vote resulted in numerous bloody rebellions by pro-Indonesian militia forces and Indonesian soldiers. Many thousands were killed in the fighting, and international intervention was considered. | 2 |
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| Sept. 12 |
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| International pressure was placed on the Indonesian government to allow peacekeeping forces into East Timor. | 3 |
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| Oct. 20 |
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| Abdurrahman Wahid (commonly known as Gus Dur), the leader of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, was elected president, which surprised many observers. | 4 |
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| Oct. 26 |
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| In an effort to quell continuing violence, a UN interim government took command in East Timor, temporarily replacing the existing administration. | 5 |
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