Snowflake Revolution

The 1988-89 Antarctic unrest, also known as the Snowflake Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in Antarctica from December 29, 1988 to March 2, 1989. There was a sustained campaign of civil resistance against regime violence, electoral fraud and lack of civil freedoms. The revolution led to the resignation of President Brandon Emerson, the end of his 30-year dictatorship, its re-establishment of royal ties to the United Kingdom and the restoration of democracy in Antarctica.

It is also referred to as the Snowflake Revolution due to the presence of snowflake pins during demonstrations. The majority of the demonstrations took place in Bellingshausen. They involved over two million Antarctic civilians, as well as several political and military groups, and religious groups led by Cardinal William Harlan, Archbishop of Bellingshausen. The revolution involved mass civil disobedience, sabotages of the Antarctic Armed Forces, and mass demonstrations.

The protests, fueled by the resistance and opposition from years of governance by Emerson and his cronies, culminated with Emerson's resignation and he and his family fleeing Glacier Palace, being taken to exile with the help of the US by flying the family away from Antarctica to Switzerland. Opposition Leader Jeanne Calvet was immediately installed as 17th Prime Minister of Antarctica after the revolution.