In 2011, Egypt, like many Arab countries, participated in what the media called the Arab Spring. The Arab Spring "is a term for the revolutionary wave of protests (both non-violent and violent), riots and civil wars in the Arab world that began on December 18, 2010." (Arab Spring) On December 17, 2010 in Tunisia, Mohammad Bouazizi, to protest against government corruption and dark economic opportunities, became emotional. He had been beaten and ignored after a confrontation with government officials, leaving him feeling like he had no choice but to take such extreme measures. However, Bouazizi's protest would not be in vain, leading to massive protests in Tunisia, and many other Arab countries facing similar political and economic situations would follow. Egypt was one of the countries that took note of the Bouazizi protests in Tunisia "on Tuesday January 25, when - inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia - thousands of people began taking to the streets to protest against poverty, rampant unemployment and government corruption. and the autocratic governance of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled the country for thirty years. These were the first demonstrations of this magnitude in Egypt since the 1970s.” (Parks)Hosni Mubarak came to power in 1981 after the assassination of President Anwar El Sadat. At the start of the Arab Spring, Mubarak had been in power for thirty years. The Egyptian people were experiencing unrest due to many of Mubarak's government policies as well as the bleak economic outlook that many Egyptians faced. According to a report by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson on NPR, "A growing number of them are tired of living in what they view as a police state under his iron-fisted rule and......at middle of paper......Middle East - Al Jazeera English. " Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera, February 14, 2011. Web. November 9, 2013. "Timeline: What has happened since the Egyptian revolution?" PBS: Frontline. PBS, September 17, 2013. Web November 10, 2013. " What caused the revolution in Egypt? » The Guardian Guardian Media Group, February 17, 2011. Web November 10, 2013. .Zayan, Jailan « AFP: Egypt prepares for nationwide protests » Google News: Archived from the original AFP, January 25, 2011. Web November 10... 2013. .