Hello and welcome to this episode of the Witness History Podcast from the BBC World Service

with me, Matt Pintas.

Today, I'm taking you back to 1990, when a peaceful revolution brought democracy to Mongolia

after almost 70 years of Soviet back rule.

Since the 9th of March 1990 in the Mongolian capital city of Ulambata, more than 100,000

people have gathered outside the National Palace to protest against the communist government.

One of the protest leaders is 33-year-old Gambal Davidorj.

The central square was full of people, majority of these people were youngsters.

Ruling party never expected that so-quiet, nomadic, tolerant, oriental people, such as Mongolia,

could go to the street to reject this leadership of the communist party.

It's been a bitterly cold winter, but nothing is going to stop Gambalding his supporters.

The temperature was minus 30, sometimes even minus 40, but not temperature for Mongolans, it's no problem.

The main problem was how to shut down this communist leadership.

The protesters have gone to extreme measures to force the change,

putting their lives on the line.

We finally could understand that without radical efforts,

only demonstrations could not bring any success in case of Mongolia.

And that is why most radical members finally decided to organize the hunger strike.

Many were against that, but finally, hunger strike was ignition point in Mongolia.

Word reaches the protesters, that the communist leader of Mongolia,

jamming Batmong, is going to resign.

It's the news Gambal has been waiting for.

...