Historical Events tagged with "political dissent"

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.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Mass Arrests in Moscow Election Protest

August 3rd, 2019 5 years ago

Six hundred protesters, including opposition leader Lyubov Sobol, were arrested during a significant election protest in Moscow. The protesters gathered to demand fair elections and express opposition to the local government's decision to disqualify opposition candidates from the upcoming elections. The demonstration took place in the city center and drew attention to the growing discontent with the political landscape in Russia, particularly among youth and urban voters.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Iraqi Opposition Seizes Embassy in Berlin

August 20th, 2002 22 years ago

A group of Iraqis opposed to Saddam Hussein's regime seized the Iraqi embassy in Berlin for five hours. The takeover involved hostages but concluded without violence as the group released the captives and surrendered peacefully. The incident highlighted dissent against the regime among Iraqi expatriates and drew international attention.

Continue Reading
Social Movements & Civil Rights

Edson Luís de Lima Souto Killed in Protest

March 28th, 1968 56 years ago

Edson Luís de Lima Souto, a Brazilian student, was killed by military police during a protest in Rio de Janeiro. The students were rallying against the government’s authoritarian policies and rising educational costs, reflecting widespread discontent with the military regime. Souto's death ignited significant outrage among students and led to increased protests across Brazil, galvanizing the youth in their fight against repression.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Sayyid Qutb Executed for Pres. Nasser Assassination Plot

August 29th, 1966 58 years ago

Sayyid Qutb, a prominent Egyptian thinker and activist, was executed following his conviction for conspiring to assassinate President Gamal Abdel Nasser. His execution was part of a broader crackdown on political dissent during Nasser's regime, which sought to eliminate threats from Islamist groups. Qutb's radical ideas had gained traction among youth and scholars, leading to significant unrest and influencing future Islamic movements.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Lèse majesté Law Strengthening in Thailand

January 1st, 1957 68 years ago

Thailand reinforced its lèse majesté laws, expanding them to include the term 'insult' and designating violations as crimes against national security. This shift in legal interpretation aimed to protect the monarchy, reflecting growing concerns about political dissent. The revised laws created an environment where criticism of the royal family could lead to severe penalties, reinforcing the traditional reverence held for the monarchy in Thai society.

Continue Reading
Social Movements & Civil Rights

Nazis Arrest Members of White Rose Movement

February 18th, 1943 82 years ago

Members of the White Rose movement, including Hans Scholl and Sophie Scholl, were arrested by the Nazis in Munich. They had been distributing anti-Nazi leaflets that called for resistance against the regime. The group aimed to awaken the German populace to the horrors of the Nazi government through their pamphlets, which urged passive resistance. Their activism began in 1942 and gained traction but met with a brutal crackdown.

Continue Reading
Social Movements & Civil Rights

Executions of Haymarket Affair Anarchists

November 11th, 1887 137 years ago

Four convicted anarchists were executed as a result of their involvement in the Haymarket affair in Chicago. This event arose from a labor protest that turned violent in 1886, resulting in the death of several police officers and civilians. The trial that followed was controversial and widely criticized for its conduct and fairness. The executed individuals were Albert Parsons, August Spies, George Engel, and Samuel Fielden, who had all been prominent figures in the anarchist movement and labor activism. Their executions raised questions about justice and the treatment of political dissidents in the United States.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

John C. Calhoun's Protests Against Tariffs

December 19th, 1828 196 years ago

The South Carolina Exposition and Protest, anonymously published by John C. Calhoun, addressed grievances regarding the Tariff of 1828. Calhoun criticized the tariff, alleging it favored Northern industries at the expense of Southern economies. This document outlined the concept of nullification, suggesting states could invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional. It garnered significant attention and became a key piece of Southern resistance against perceived federal overreach.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Gaspee Schooner Set Ablaze in Rhode Island

June 9th, 1772 252 years ago

The British customs schooner Gaspee was set ablaze by a Patriots’ raid in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, as American colonists protested British taxation. The attack marked a significant escalation in colonial dissent against British authority, symbolizing rising tensions between the colonies and the British government. The raiders, led by John Brown, aimed to impede the enforcement of British customs regulations, which were seen as oppressive. The incident sparked outrage in Britain and was a prelude to the American Revolution.

Continue Reading