The South African Congress of Trade Unions is founded

Twenty campaign leaders were convicted under the Suppression of Communism Act and received suspended prison sentences. Repression intensified but the campaign greatly expanded ANC membership.

The government gained broad authority to declare states of emergency, detain people and rule by proclamation. The measure responded directly to mass resistance.

The apartheid state took control of African schooling and designed education to prepare Black children for subordinate labour. Communities, teachers and the ANC opposed the system.

Women from different racial and political organizations formed FEDSAW and adopted a Women's Charter demanding political, economic and social equality.

Armed police supervised the removal of families from the multiracial Johannesburg neighbourhood to racially designated areas. Homes were demolished under the Group Areas Act.

Nearly 3,000 delegates and observers gathered to debate demands collected from communities across South Africa for a democratic and nonracial future.

Delegates adopted a programme declaring that South Africa belonged to all who lived in it and demanding democratic government, equal rights, land reform and social welfare.

About 2,000 women of different racial backgrounds marched to the Union Buildings against the planned extension of pass laws to African women.

Women delivered petitions opposing passes for African women and stood in disciplined silence before singing the protest song later associated with the phrase: You strike a woman, you strike a rock.

Police raids across the country led to the arrest of 156 activists of different racial backgrounds. The resulting Treason Trial attempted to criminalize the Freedom Charter movement.