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May 10, 1482
Congo River discovered
While sailing to the African coast, Diogo Cao's crew was desperate for water and found muddy brown water rushing into the bay. They followed the water and found the Congo River. -
Joseph Conrad born
Joseph Conrad was born in Berdyzcow to Apollo Korzeniowski and Ewa nee Bobrowska. -
Conrad family exiled
After Conrad's father was arrested for patriotic conspiracy, his family was exiled to Vologda, Siberia. -
Conrad becomes an orphan
Conrad became an orphan and was placed in the care of his uncle at the age of 12. -
Conrad learns English
At the age of 20, Joseph Conrad learned English. His first language was Polish. -
Suicide Attempt
Conrad attempts to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest but recovers. -
Leopold's Congo
After missing out on the Congo in the scramble, Leopold was determined to reclaim his land. He had Henry Stanley travel up and down the Congo River and establish 22 small towns. -
International Association of the Congo claims region of Congo
President Chester A. Arthur decided that the cessions claimed by Leopold were lawful and recognized the International Association of the Congo's claim on the region. -
Belgian Congo established
The Congo Free State became known as the Belgian Congo after Belgium gained control of it. -
Free State of Congo created
The Free State of Congo was created after the Scramble for Africa -
Period: to
Scramble for Africa
European countries colonized all of Africa. Before this, the only areas that were colonized were areas near the coast including the Congo. -
Period: to
Conrad visits the Belgian Congo
Conrad visited the Belgian Congo. He was able to write one of his very famous novels, but also had a physical and mental breakdown -
Retired Seaman
Conrad retired from his life as a seaman and published his first book, Almayer's Folly -
Conrad married
Joseph Conrad married Jessie George and they had two sons together. -
"Heart of Darkness" Published
Joseph Conrad published his short story "Heart of Darkness". This story was based in the Congo where he spent a large portion of his life while he was a seaman. -
End of Leopold II's reign
After political pressure and diplomatic maneouvres, Leopold II was removed from power and the Free State of Congo was annexed as a Belgium colony. -
Congo territory
At this time the Congo was called the Belgian Congo and consisted of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. -
Joseph Conrad dies
Joseph Conrad died at his home of a heart attack. He was 67 years old and died in Canterbury, England. -
Congo Independence
The Democratic Republic of Congo recieved its indepedence from Belgium. -
Mobutu in Power
Mobutu seized power and renamed the country Zaire. -
Dam created
A dam, Inga I, was built to harvest the Congo River's power. -
Congo Invaded
Rwanda invaded the Congo to flush out extremist Hutu militias. -
Mobutu overthrown
Rebel insurgent Gen. Laurent Kabila overthrew Mobutu and changed the Zaire back to the DR of Congo. -
Period: to
African "World War"
The DR of Congo was involved in the African "World War" in which hundreds of people died. -
Laurent Kabila killed
Laurent Kabila was assasinated and his son Joseph Kabila took over power.