1994 Event Military coup in Gambia: President Dawda Jawara flees 1989 Event Senegambia separates back into Gambia and Senegal 1982 Event Senegal and Gambia form loose confederation (Senegambia) 1981 Event Gambia and Senegal sign agreement to be known as Senegambia in Feb 1982 1980 Event Senegal routes troops to Gambia due to Libyan threat 1977 Event Alex Haley finds his Roots in Juffure, Gambia 1970 Event Gambia becomes a republic within Commonwealth 1965 Birthday Yahya Jammeh, born in Kanilai, Gambia, politician, President of Gambia, controlled the country as a result of a bloodless military coup, elected September 1996 1965 Event Gambia gains independence from Britain (National Day) 1963 Event Gambia achieves full internal self-government 1924 Birthday Dawda Kairaba Jawara, president, Gambia, 1970-94
