King Sisavang Vatthana was the last King of the Kingdom of Laos since the establishment of the Kingdom of Lan Xang (Land of a Million Elephants) by King Fa Ngum in 1353. His Majesty King Sisavang Vatthana ruled from 1959 after his fathers death until he was forced by the Communist Pathet Lao to abdicate the throne in 1975. In the 13th century, Laos was a part of the larger Indo-Khmer civilization. By the middle of the 14th century, Laos became independent and took the name Lan Xang which mean, Kingdom of a Million Elephants. Lan Xang lasted about 350 years and is heralded as the golden age of Laos. But the government eventually succumbed to both internal and external pressures and split into three separate kingdoms: Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Champassak. Thus weakened, Laos came under the control of French in the late 1800s. By 1949, however, the the Kingdom of Laos had become an independent state within the French union. And, by 1953, Laos gained full independent from France. In accordance with the 1972 peace accord, the Royal Lao government and the Communist Pathet Lao were each granted territorial rights, military power, and voice in the government. Since 1975, however, the otherwise quiet, little country of Laos has been overpowered, and to the outside world its doors have clanged tightly shut. And yet, although the doors are closed, Laos is a country whose unique character and rich folklore will keep its national heritage alive. The people of Laos are unique. The many individual tribes such as the Low land Lao, Black, Red, White Thai, Khmu, Hmong, Yao, and many others distinguished usually by colorful dress - make up one of the most striking features of the Lao population (Jewell Reinhart Coburn,1981). Compiled and Edited by Dr. Tony Vang, Professor Of Education at California State University, Fresno. This documentary of the Secret War in Laos was given by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) News to Dr. Tony Vang on May 29, 1984 in Fresno, California. The Hmong people want to express their heartfelt thanks to the late NBC News reporter Ted Yates and his colleagues, Robert Rogers, Julian Townsend and others, for this historical documentary of the Vietnam War. All rights belong to NBC News and their respective owners. ................................................ youtube/watch?v=JL6SX6Q5Lr0 ....................................................
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 02:49:50 +0000
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