Historical Events tagged with "assassination"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Assassination of Campinas Mayor Antônio da Costa Santos

September 10th, 2001 23 years ago

Antônio da Costa Santos, the mayor of Campinas, Brazil, was assassinated in a violent attack. The assassination occurred while he was driving, and he was shot multiple times. Santos, who was a prominent political figure in the region, had been involved in various reforms and initiatives aimed at improving local governance. His murder sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the rising violence in Brazilian politics. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the assassination followed, leading to some arrests and a deeper inquiry into the political climate of Campinas.

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Military & Warfare

Assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud

September 9th, 2001 23 years ago

Ahmad Shah Massoud, a prominent Afghan military leader, was assassinated by two individuals posing as Arab journalists seeking an interview. The assassination occurred in Takhar province, Afghanistan. The attackers detonated a bomb hidden in their equipment, killing Massoud and several others. His death marked a significant turning point in Afghanistan’s political landscape, particularly in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda forces.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of President Laurent-Désiré Kabila

January 16th, 2001 24 years ago

Congolese President Laurent-Désiré Kabila was assassinated by one of his own bodyguards in Kinshasa. Kabila had been a pivotal figure in the Second Congo War, which saw various factions and foreign powers battling for control. His rise to power was marked by the overthrow of Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997, leading to attempts to stabilize a war-torn nation. The assassination reflected ongoing tensions and instability within the Congolese government and military structure.

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Politics & Government

Gunmen Attack Armenian Parliament, Killing Leaders

October 27th, 1999 25 years ago

In a shocking act of violence, gunmen stormed the Armenian Parliament, resulting in the assassination of Prime Minister Vazgen Sargsyan and seven other officials. The attack unfolded during a session of Parliament in Yerevan, where armed men took several lawmakers hostage. The motive behind the attack was rooted in political tensions and dissatisfaction with the government, showcasing deep divisions within the country.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Vice President Luis María Argaña

March 23rd, 1999 26 years ago

Luis María Argaña, Paraguay's Vice President, was assassinated in a drive-by shooting. The attack occurred in Asunción, Paraguay, escalating political tensions in the country. His assassination shocked the nation and was part of a series of violent political events affecting Paraguay's governance during this period. Argaña had been a prominent figure in Paraguayan politics, increasing concerns about instability.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Tamil MP S. Shanmuganathan

July 15th, 1998 26 years ago

S. Shanmuganathan, a Sri Lankan Tamil Member of Parliament, was killed by a claymore mine in an attack attributed to military forces during the Sri Lankan Civil War. The incident occurred while he was traveling in a vehicle, showcasing the ongoing violence and political instability faced by the Tamil population in Sri Lanka. Shanmuganathan was a prominent figure, advocating for Tamil rights in a tumultuous political environment strained by the prolonged civil conflict.

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Crime & Law

Assassination of Billy Wright in Northern Ireland

December 27th, 1997 27 years ago

Billy Wright, a Protestant paramilitary leader, was assassinated in a prison in Northern Ireland. He was shot dead by members of a rival terrorist organization, the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), while serving a life sentence for several murders. The assassination heightened tensions between loyalist and republican factions and had significant implications for Northern Ireland's ongoing conflict.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of A. Thangathurai in Trincomalee

July 5th, 1997 27 years ago

Sri Lankan Tamil MP A. Thangathurai was shot and killed at Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College in Trincomalee. The assassination occurred in a context of escalating violence in Sri Lanka, where political leaders were increasingly targeted amid the prolonged civil conflict. Thangathurai was known for representing the interests of the Tamils and was actively involved in the political discourse surrounding their rights and sovereignty within Sri Lanka.

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Politics & Government

Assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

November 4th, 1995 29 years ago

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by an extremist Israeli following a peace rally in Tel Aviv. The assassin, Yigal Amir, opposed Rabin's peace efforts with the Palestinians and viewed him as a traitor. Rabin was shot multiple times, leading to his death shortly after. This assassination stunned the nation and significantly impacted the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

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