When Did Myanmar Change Its Name from Burma? June 18, 1989

The military government (SLORC) changed the country's English name from Burma to Myanmar on June 18, 1989 via Adaptation of Expressions Law.

Context

• Burma: Colonial name (British, from Bamar majority); used 1824–1989
• Myanmar: Literary/formal Burmese name (Myanma Naingngan) since 1200s
• Trigger: 1988 uprising (8888 Uprising) → SLORC takeover → legitimacy signaling

International Recognition

• UN, ASEAN, China, Russia, India, Japan: Accepted "Myanmar" quickly
• USA, UK, Canada, Australia, EU: Used "Burma" for decades (pro-democracy stance)
• USA shift: 2012 (Clinton) — "Myanmar" in formal settings; "Burma" still used politically
• Aung San Suu Kyi / NLD: Prefer "Burma" — reject military-imposed name

Current Usage

Most governments: "Myanmar" officially; "Burma" in human rights contexts. Media: mixed. Locals: "Myanmar" (country), "Bamar" (ethnicity), "Burma" (colonial).