1961 ⟶ Assassination of Patrice Lumumba Triggers Congo Crisis

January 17: The assassination of Patrice Lumumba begins the ...
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1960
1961
1965
1971

✈️ U-2 Spy Plane Shot Down Over Soviet Territory

May 1: 1960 U-2 incident sparks deterioration in relations between superpowers.⟶
U-2 Spy Plane Shot Down Over Soviet Territory (1960)
Cold WarEspionageSoviet UnionDiplomacyIntelligenceArms RaceInternational RelationsKhrushchev
Soviet UnionSoviet UnionUnited StatesUnited States

🌍 Year of African Independence: 17 Nations Gain Freedom

Year of Africa: Independence of 17 African nations.⟶
Year of African Independence: 17 Nations Gain Freedom (1960)
DecolonizationIndependence MovementsCold WarPan-AfricanismPost-ColonialismNationalismPolitical TransitionSelf-determinationAfrican History
SenegalSenegalMaliMaliMadagascarMadagascarSomaliaSomaliaBeninBeninNigerNigerIvory CoastIvory CoastChadChadRepublic of the CongoRepublic of the CongoNigeriaNigeriaDemocratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoMauritaniaMauritania

🪖 Assassination of Patrice Lumumba Triggers Congo Crisis

January 17: The assassination of Patrice Lumumba begins the Congo Crisis.⟶
Assassination of Patrice Lumumba Triggers Congo Crisis (1961)
Cold WarDecolonizationAfrican HistoryPolitical AssassinationProxy WarUnited Nations
Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the CongoBelgiumBelgiumSoviet UnionSoviet UnionUnited StatesUnited States

✈️ UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld Killed in Plane Crash

September 18: UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld dies in a plane crash.⟶
UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld Killed in Plane Crash (1961)
United NationsCold WarDecolonizationInternational RelationsPeacekeepingPolitical Assassination

👑 Mobutu Seizes Power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

November 24 – 25: Congo Crisis ends; Joseph Mobutu becomes dictator of the Congo.⟶
Mobutu Seizes Power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1965)
Cold WarDictatorshipMilitary CoupZairePost-ColonialismAfrican PoliticsPolitical InstabilityAuthoritarianism
Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo

🇨🇩 Mobutu Renames Republic of the Congo as Zaire

October 27: Joseph Mobutu renames The Republic of the Congo Zaire.⟶
Mobutu Renames Republic of the Congo as Zaire (1971)
DecolonizationDictatorshipCold WarAfrican HistoryPost-ColonialismMobutu Sese SekoNationalismPolitical TransitionZaire
Democratic Republic of the CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo