Mineworkers begin a historic national strike

Security forces detained activists and restricted gatherings, while communities commemorated the students killed in 1976 and renewed demands for liberation.

Congress enacted the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, restricting trade and investment despite President Reagan's opposition.

Unions associated with Black Consciousness and Africanist traditions formed a national federation independent of COSATU.

The election excluded the African majority and occurred under emergency rule, while the Conservative Party grew on the white right.

An explosion devastated the trade-union federation's Johannesburg headquarters amid state and covert attacks on democratic organizations.

After twenty-three years in prison, the Rivonia veteran became the first of the senior ANC political prisoners to be released.

Seventeen democratic organizations were effectively prohibited from political activity, forcing opposition networks to reorganize through the Mass Democratic Movement.

The Wembley concert reached a worldwide television audience and transformed the demand to free Mandela into a global popular campaign.

The transfer placed Mandela in a house on prison grounds and facilitated increasingly direct talks with government representatives.

While white, Coloured and Indian chambers were elected, the Black majority remained excluded and democratic organizations mobilized defiance.