1960 AD
Sharpeville Massacre
South African police killed protesters opposing apartheid pass laws in Sharpeville in 1960.
- Time period
- 1960 AD
- Region
- South Africa
- Theme
- Politics
- Civilization
- Apartheid South Africa
On 21 March 1960, South African police opened fire on protesters outside Sharpeville police station during a demonstration against apartheid pass laws. Many victims were shot in the back as they fled. South Africa now observes 21 March as Human Rights Day to commemorate the massacre, as documented by Wikipedia.