Chronology → Video Oral History

The Siege of Sarajevo 1992–1996

This Interactive FAMA Project integrates the documented chronology of the Siege of Sarajevo with first-hand testimonies within a single interface.

The material can be explored month by month by selecting any point between March 1992 and March 1996. For each chosen month, the user can review the corresponding textual chronology alongside video oral history interviews from the same period. By aligning the chronology of events with personal experiences, the platform enables a more layered, contextual exploration of how the siege unfolded over time.

The Siege of Sarajevo: Chronology 1992-1996

Compiled shortly after the war, this comprehensive chronology of the Sarajevo siege covers the period from March 1992 to March 1996. Structured by month and year, it draws on articles from the “Oslobođenje” newspaper, UN archives, reports from foreign correspondents, and citizen testimonies to document key social, political, military, cultural, and personal events of that time. By recording major developments and everyday survival, the chronology remains a vital reference for understanding how the siege unfolded and transformed every aspect of city life.

Oral History: The Siege of Sarajevo 1992-1996, video

Structured chronologically and thematically, this is the first and largest video oral history of the Sarajevo siege in the world, featuring nearly 1,000 interviews with over 450 citizens from diverse backgrounds. Produced soon after the war, it presents personal testimonies covering all aspects of life in the besieged city. This 30-hour collection serves as both an educational resource and a historical record, offering future generations an unparalleled insight into first-hand accounts of the longest urban siege in modern history.

Chronology

The Bosnian Serbs remember that 50 % of the goods should belong to them if they sign an authorization to open the path across the airport.
“Sarajevogas” issues a brochure on the use of gas to educate citizens, “Use gas carefully,” in 30,000 copies.
The government of Yugoslavia issues a statement on its wish to close the “Josip Broz Tito” memorial center.
The tomb of Alexander the Great is found, near the oasis of Siva, 750 km west of Cairo.
The English and Spanish monarch have honorary mounted guards - , Croatian president Franjo Tudjman now has one as well.
France and the U.S. seek to organize an international conference on the former Yugoslavia. This is only one among a number of plans the U.S considers.
Designer Josip Nosse fashions a device providing security for high and low pressure home gas installations.
In Russia negotiations are held on the delivery of gas to Bosnia.
Combat episode involving two UN observers: A Nigerian kills a Finn, because he is mentally deranged.
Black market in Sarajevo: Dealers will not accept dollars, but give them back as change in sales and sell them. The value of the Swiss frank falls.
The road across the Sarajevo airport is open from 10am-12pm and from 3-5pm.
An American space shuttle approaches within 12 km of the Russian space station “Mir”.
The “blue routes” are a surrogate for freedom. The “city train” operates, providing free transportation.
Momcilo Krajisnik, one of the leading figures of the SDS, says of the terror in Sarajevo: “… The war must end in Sarajevo, just as it began there.”
After the rejection of the peace plan in Pale, the international community deals directly with Slobodan Milosevic, the president of Serbia.
Shells and snipers batter the city.
Arrest of Svetlana Boskovic, a UNHCR staffer, who had passed on to Bosnian Serbs information on the names of passengers in UN vehicles on their way to the airport.
The UNHCR recommends that drivers, Bosnians, not drive trucks of humanitarian aid from the airport into the city as a result of which a crisis involving overfilled warehouses ensues.
NATO will practice its eventual military support of UN troops before their withdrawal from Bosnia through “computer maneuvers” from the 13th to the 21st of February behind closed doors at Ramstein base.
The Contact Group is informed by the Bosnian Serb Assembly that they have rejected their plan with a vote of 44 to 6.
The road in Hrasnica is filled with smugglers and regular citizens who shop in Hrasnica.
UN report: The ARBiH protects the border of the Bihac safe area.
Snipers fire at the tram
The international community in dealing with Slobodan Milosevic makes the recognition of BiH and Croatia a condition for the lifting of sanctions.
“Type A” flu arrives from China.
UN report: 5,700 people a day cross the road across Sarajevo airport.
Announcement of vendors at the Sarajevo market: “Your frying pans no longer have to wait for fish to arrive.”
Slobodan Milosevic: “The time has not yet come to recognize Zagreb and Sarajevo.”
Diplomatic relations established between Sarajevo-Moscow.
Spectacular wedding in Belgrade of Zeljko Raznjatovic, Arkan, a war criminal from Serbia whose paramilitaries killed and plundered on the battlefields of Croatia and BiH, and popular folk singer Ceca. The wedding turns into a world media spectacle..
The transportation company “Gras” lacks the funds to pay off its debt to Elektrodistribucija. They find that now is not a good time to charge for tickets, and hence have no revenue.
The Serbs close the road to Visoko after the UN refuses to give them 20 liters of fuel per day.
Moscow accuses George Soros, financier and philanthropist, of being a CIA agent because his work provides long-term stipends to Russian scholars who later emigrate permanently.
U.S. Ambassador Viktor Jakovich, on “Krug 99”: “BiH is defending the principles of western civilization.”
Five passengers wounded on the tram.