Nu, U, << noo, oo >> (1907-1995), was a Burmese politician and statesman. During the 1930’s, he was a leader of the student political movement against British colonial rule. In 1947, he was appointed leader of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League political party. In 1948, he became the first prime minister of independent Burma (now Myanmar).
In 1962, Nu was forced out of office by a military coup (take-over) and imprisoned for four years. In 1969, Nu left Burma and led a revolt against the military government from abroad, but he was unsuccessful. He returned in 1980 after receiving amnesty (forgiveness) from the government. During a 1988 popular uprising against the military government, Nu formed a provisional government. Following his refusal to dissolve his provisional government, Nu was kept under house arrest from 1989 until 1992.
U Nu was born on May 25, 1907, in Wakema, in the Myaungmya District of Burma. He died on Feb. 14, 1995. U is a prefix equivalent to mister.
