The Congress of the People adopts the Freedom Charter

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.

SACTU united nonracial unions and linked workplace struggles with the wider Congress Alliance campaign against apartheid.

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

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.

Residents refused to use PUTCO buses after a fare increase. Thousands walked long distances to work, and the action spread to other townships.

After nearly three months of mass participation, employers and the state accepted a subsidy arrangement that prevented commuters from paying the full fare increase.