Mikheil Saakashvili

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Mikheil Saakashvili

Role / Field:

Prominent Georgian politician, former President of Georgia, and reformer.

Born:

1967-12-21

Century / Era:

1967s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Mikheil Saakashvili (born 21 December 1967) is a Georgian-Ukrainian politician. He was the third president of Georgia for two consecutive terms from January 2004 to November 2013, with a break from November 2007 to January 2008 after he stepped down following anti-government demonstrations and ahead of an early presidential election. He is the founder and former chairman of Georgia's United National Movement party. From May 2015 until November 2016, Saakashvili was the governor of Ukraine's Odesa Oblast.

Key Developments & Impact

A jurist by occupation, Saakashvili entered Georgian politics in 1995 as a member of Parliament and the Minister of Justice under President Eduard Shevardnadze. He then founded the opposition United National Movement party. In 2003, as a leading opposition figure, he accused the government of rigging the 2003 Georgian parliamentary election, which triggered mass street protests and President Shevardnadze's ouster in the bloodless Rose Revolution. Saakashvili's key role in the protests led to his election as president in 2004. As president, Saakashvili oversaw far-reaching reforms.

Enduring Legacy

His government dismissed and replaced the entire police force, hoping to root out corruption, and pursued...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1967 (1967-12-21): Birth of Mikheil Saakashvili — Prominent Georgian politician, former President of Georgia, and reformer.
2. 1995: 1995 Milestone — A jurist by occupation, Saakashvili entered Georgian politics in 1995 as a member of Parliament and the Minister of Justice under President Eduard Shevardnadze.
3. 2003: 2003 Milestone — In 2003, as a leading opposition figure, he accused the government of rigging the 2003 Georgian parliamentary election, which triggered mass street protests and President Shevardnadze's ouster in the bloodless Rose Revolution.
4. 2004: 2004 Milestone — He was the third president of Georgia for two consecutive terms from January 2004 to November 2013, with a break from November 2007 to January 2008 after he stepped down following anti-government demonstrations and ahead of an early presidential election.
5. 2015: 2015 Milestone — From May 2015 until November 2016, Saakashvili was the governor of Ukraine's Odesa Oblast.

Notable Quotes by Mikheil Saakashvili

“We must be prepared to fight for our country, to defend our people, and to build a modern, prosperous Georgia.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Mikheil Saakashvili

True or False: “Mikheil Saakashvili was only involved in Georgian politics after the collapse of the Soviet Union.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He entered Georgian politics much earlier, serving as a member of Parliament and the Minister of Justice in 1995.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Akshay Kumar — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran Indian actor and producer, celebrated for action roles and prolific career.
• Albert Luthuli — Contemporary (Died in 1967) (1967): Pioneering anti-apartheid activist and leader of the ANC in South Africa.
• Aleksandr Karelin — Contemporary (Born in 1967) (1967): Dominant Greco-Roman wrestler, nicknamed the "Russian Bear", celebrated for unmatched Olympic success.
• Alicia Alonso — Shared historical date (12-21 · Born) (1920): Legendary Cuban prima ballerina assoluta and choreographer.
• András Schiff — Shared historical date (12-21 · Born) (1953): Esteemed Hungarian and British classical pianist and conductor.
• Anderson Cooper — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): Veteran broadcast journalist and political commentator, known for on-the-ground reporting.
• Anna Nicole Smith — Historical peer (Born in 1967) (1967): American model and television personality known for her high-profile life and legal battles.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• Alicia Markova — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pioneering British ballerina, choreographer, and founder of major ballet institutions.
• Aaron Swartz — Historical peer (Died in 2013) (2013): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• 1967 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1967
• December 21 (12-21) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on December 21

Frequently Asked Questions about Mikheil Saakashvili