Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addresses a mass gathering on autonomy and freedom

The Organization of African Unity adopted its Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. It recognized that liberation wars, colonial borders, apartheid, and political...

Biafran forces surrendered to the Nigerian federal government, ending nearly three years of war. Blockade and famine killed large numbers of civilians, while relief agencies and journalists drew...

Fiji became independent from Britain after a constitutional settlement between political leaders. The colonial economy had relied on sugar and indentured Indian labor, while colonial policies...

The UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations. Newly independent states had pushed the UN to address sovereignty, non-intervention,...

The Awami League won a majority in Pakistan’s National Assembly, based on strong support in East Pakistan. The result gave Bengali voters a mandate for autonomy under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Six-Point...

Pakistani forces launched a military crackdown in Dhaka and other cities after the political crisis over the 1970 election. The operation targeted civilians, students, political organizers, and...

Bangladesh’s independence was declared after the military crackdown. The declaration is associated with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and was transmitted and repeated by local resistance leaders and the...

Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered to the joint command of Bangladeshi and Indian forces. The surrender ended the nine-month liberation war and established Bangladesh as an independent...

The Bahamian archipelago became an independent state after a constitutional process led by the Progressive Liberal Party. Independence followed a long struggle over racial equality, labor rights,...

Grenada became independent after British rule. The transition followed organizing by workers, trade unions, and political movements in a plantation society shaped by slavery and colonial...