timeline OF APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA
1652: First European settlers in South Africa
1852: British take control of Cape Town
1867-1876: Gold and diamond mines discovered, country becomes rich
1899-1902: Dutch settlers eventually fought in the Boer War with the British. Britain eventually gains control of South Africa
1910: South Africa becomes an independent nation
1948: Apartheid introduced in South Africa by National Party, laws separate races in South Africa
1952: The African National Congress (ANC), a black civil rights group, begins a Campaign for Defiance of Unjust Laws as a protest against apartheid. Nelson Mandela is one of its leaders.
1960: On 21 March, at least 180 black Africans were injured (there are claims of as many as 300) and 69 killed when South African police opened fire on approximately 300 demonstrators. This event later became known as The Sharpeville Massacre
1961: South Africa declared a republic, leaves the Commonwealth. Mandela heads ANC's new military wing, which launches sabotage campaign
1962: Nelson Mandela, its leader, was arrested for plotting against the government and sentenced to life imprisonment
1970s: More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands'.
1976: More than 600 killed in clashes between black protesters and security forces during uprising which starts in Soweto
1984-89: Township revolt, state of emergency
1989: FW de Klerk replaces PW Botha as president, meets Mandela. Public facilities desegregated. Many ANC activists freed
1990: President F.W. de Klerk declares that it is the end of apartheid. ANC unbanned. Mandela is freed from prison after serving 27 years.
1993: Both De Klerk and Mandela are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
1994: ANC wins first non-racial elections. Mandela elected as President in first elections in which everyone can vote. Government of National Unity formed, Commonwealth membership restored, remaining sanctions lifted. South Africa takes seat in UN General Assembly after 20-year absence
1996: Parliament adopts new constitution. National Party withdraws from coalition, saying it is being ignored
1999: Mandela steps down as president, Thabo Mbeki takes over as president
2001 September: Durban hosts UN race conference
2004: African National Congress (ANC) won South Africa's general election in a landslide, taking about 70% of the vote, and Thabo Mbeki was sworn in for a second term
2009: Jacob Zuma elected as President
2012 December: President Zuma re-elected as leader of the ANC
2013 December: Nelson Mandela dies, aged 95. Tributes to "the father of the nation" flood in from throughout the world.
1852: British take control of Cape Town
1867-1876: Gold and diamond mines discovered, country becomes rich
1899-1902: Dutch settlers eventually fought in the Boer War with the British. Britain eventually gains control of South Africa
1910: South Africa becomes an independent nation
1948: Apartheid introduced in South Africa by National Party, laws separate races in South Africa
1952: The African National Congress (ANC), a black civil rights group, begins a Campaign for Defiance of Unjust Laws as a protest against apartheid. Nelson Mandela is one of its leaders.
1960: On 21 March, at least 180 black Africans were injured (there are claims of as many as 300) and 69 killed when South African police opened fire on approximately 300 demonstrators. This event later became known as The Sharpeville Massacre
1961: South Africa declared a republic, leaves the Commonwealth. Mandela heads ANC's new military wing, which launches sabotage campaign
1962: Nelson Mandela, its leader, was arrested for plotting against the government and sentenced to life imprisonment
1970s: More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands'.
1976: More than 600 killed in clashes between black protesters and security forces during uprising which starts in Soweto
1984-89: Township revolt, state of emergency
1989: FW de Klerk replaces PW Botha as president, meets Mandela. Public facilities desegregated. Many ANC activists freed
1990: President F.W. de Klerk declares that it is the end of apartheid. ANC unbanned. Mandela is freed from prison after serving 27 years.
1993: Both De Klerk and Mandela are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
1994: ANC wins first non-racial elections. Mandela elected as President in first elections in which everyone can vote. Government of National Unity formed, Commonwealth membership restored, remaining sanctions lifted. South Africa takes seat in UN General Assembly after 20-year absence
1996: Parliament adopts new constitution. National Party withdraws from coalition, saying it is being ignored
1999: Mandela steps down as president, Thabo Mbeki takes over as president
2001 September: Durban hosts UN race conference
2004: African National Congress (ANC) won South Africa's general election in a landslide, taking about 70% of the vote, and Thabo Mbeki was sworn in for a second term
2009: Jacob Zuma elected as President
2012 December: President Zuma re-elected as leader of the ANC
2013 December: Nelson Mandela dies, aged 95. Tributes to "the father of the nation" flood in from throughout the world.