Historical Events tagged with "mid-20th century"

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

Charles Ndizi Overthrows King Mwambutsa IV

July 8th, 1966 58 years ago

Prince Charles Ndizi dethroned his father, King Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng of Burundi, marking a significant political shift. This power struggle unfolded in Burundi, a small East African nation grappling with ethnic tensions and political challenges. The young prince's actions were driven by aspirations for reform and a desire to establish a more progressive leadership amid rising instability.

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Military & Warfare

First Shots Fired in Algerian Independence Conflict

November 1st, 1954 70 years ago

The Front de Libération Nationale (FLN) launched its first armed attacks against French colonial forces in Algeria, marking the beginning of a violent struggle for independence. The coordinated assault targeted military outposts and police stations, signaling a significant escalation in tensions between the Algerian nationalists and the French government. This coordinated effort illustrated the FLN's commitment to armed resistance in their quest for national liberation following years of colonial rule. The attacks that day laid the groundwork for a prolonged conflict that would last for nearly eight years.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Iva Valley Shooting of Coal Miners

November 18th, 1949 75 years ago

In Nigeria, coal miners in Enugu went on strike due to withheld wages, leading to a confrontation with police. The incident escalated on November 18, when police opened fire on the striking miners, resulting in the deaths of 21 miners and injuring 51 others. The brutal response was under the supervision of the British colonial administration, highlighting tensions in labor relations and colonial governance.

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