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Beginning of South African Apartheid
The National Party defeats the United Party and apartheid begins. -
The African National Congress starts the Defiance Campaign
Volunteers begin a peaceful resistance to apartheid by breaking the laws they think are wrong. The protests include black people sitting on benches marked for white people only and being out in the city after the curfew set for blacks. -
The Bantu Education Act is passed
A law is passed that creates a separate education system for blacks and whites. -
Nelson Mandela goes to the slammer!
Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid activist, is arrested with several other people for fighting against apartheid. He is charged with treason, but after a four-year trial he is found not guilty. -
Separate homelands are created for the major black groups
The government passes new laws to create separate homelands, called Bantustans, for the major black groups in the country. The government does this to stop blacks from being citizens of South Africa. -
Sixty-nine people are killed in the Sharpeville Massacre
On March 21, blacks showed up at the Sharpeville police station without their passbooks which had personal information like there name, birthdate, and a photo. 69 people were killed. -
Nelson Mandela is arrested for treason again!!
Mandela was the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, part of the African National Congress. He bombed government targets and was sentenced to life in prison. -
Rhodesia illegally gains independence from Great Britain
Prime Minister Ian Smith announces that Rhodesia has broken away from Great Britain and that whites will control the government. -
South Africa is expelled from the United Nations
Due to apartheid, South Africa is removed from the United Nations. -
More than 600 students are killed in the Soweto Massacre
High school students in Soweto start a protest for an improved education system for blacks. Police break up the protest with tear gas and bullets, killing more than 600 people. -
Anti-apartheid activist Steve Bilko is killed
Steve Bilko, one of the organizers of the Soweto protest, is arrested on August 18, 1977. He was beaten to death by the police and died Sept. 12, 1977. -
Musicians form Artists United Against Apartheid.
Musician Steven Van Zandt forms Artists United Against Apartheid after touring South Africa. The album "Sun City" comes out on December 7 and features several anti-apartheid songs, including "Silver and Gold" by U2. -
Graceland
Paul Simon traveled to South Africa to make the album "Graceland" with local South African musicians. Simon is criticized by many people, including the African National Congress, for breaking the cultural boycott. -
President Frederik Willem de Klerk ends the ban on the African National Congress
Even though he supported segregation at one time, President Frederick Willem de Klerk lifts the ban on the African National Congress in 1990. In 1993, de Klerk wins the Nobel Peace Prize with Nelson Mandela for helping end apartheid. -
Nelson Mandela is released from prison
After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela is freed from prison. Mandela thanks President de Klerk for helping set him free, but says that there is more work to be done to end apartheid. -
South Africa is freee!!
Nelson Mandela becomes the president of South Africa.
