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Today in History: Ne Win razes historic Rangoon student union

7/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On 7 July 1962, General Ne Win’s new military regime cracked down on a 5,000-student demonstration at Rangoon University, killing over a hundred protesters and detaining more than 6,000. The following morning, Ne Win ordered the demolition of the historic Rangoon University Students’ Union building, a long-standing symbol of Burma’s anti-colonial struggle.

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Story summary

On 7 July 1962, General Ne Win’s new military regime cracked down on a 5,000-student demonstration at Rangoon University, killing over a hundred protesters and detaining more than 6,000. The following morning, Ne Win ordered the demolition of the historic Rangoon University Students’ Union building, a long-standing symbol of Burma’s anti-colonial struggle.