2013 Event Twenty people die on the island of Madagascar from bubonic plague, which is transmitted to humans via rat fleas; chronic overcrowding and unhygienic prison conditions are identified as the root cause of the outbreak 2012 Event fter three years in exile, Madagascar's President, Marc Ravalomanana announces he will return to the country 2010 Event Russ Mittermeier and colleagues in northeast Madagascar, confirm a new species of fork-marked lemur in Madagascar 2009 Event Marc Ravalomanana, President of Madagascar, is overthrown. New President, Andry Rajoelina, is appointed by the military 1991 Event 400,000 demonstrate for democracy in Madagascar, 31 killed 1989 Event Pope John Paul II beatifies Victoire Rasoamanarivo of Madagascar 1989 Event Madagascar AREMA party wins parliamentary election 1975 Event Constitution of Democratic Republic of Madagascar comes into force 1975 Event Madagascar adopts constitution 1963 Event 17 African states and Madagascar sign peace treaty with EC 1960 Event Madagascar (formerly Malagasy Rep) declares independence from France 1960 Event Madagascar gains independence of France 1942 Event British troops lands on Madagascar 1942 Event British assault on Diego Suarez Madagascar 1938 Event Hermann Goering announces he wants Madagascar as a Jewish homeland 1936 Birthday Didier Ratsiraka, president of Madagascar 1932 Birthday Francois Bayle, born in Taomasina, Madagascar, composer, Musique concrete, acousmatic music, studied with Pierre Schaeffer, Karlheinz Stockhausen 1913 Birthday Claude Simon, born in Antananarivo, Madagascar, writer, prize-winning author, 1985 Nobel Laureate in Literature, identified with the nouveau roman movement 1896 Event France annexes Madagascar 1896 Event France dismisses Queen Ranavalona of Madagascar 1895 Event France proclaims a protectorate over Madagascar 1895 Event French fleet reaches Majunga, Madagascar 1885 Event France declares Madagascar a protectorate 1883 Event French fleet under Pierre begins siege of Tamatave, Madagascar 1500 Event Diego Diaz discovers Madagascar
