jul 1, 1962 - Rwanda gains independence

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On July 1, 1962, Belgium officially granted Rwanda its independence. This came as a result of a peasant revolt that began in November of 1959. The small uprising soon evolved into a full scale Hutu revolution. Gregoire Kayibanda led the organized political movement, creating the Party for Hutu Emancipation. By the end of the conflict, over 300,000 Tutsis had left the country, as the revolt emerged in response to their long-term prosperity within Rwanda.

World War 2 also played a role in Belgium giving up their colony. After the wars resolution, there was an international shift in attitude towards colonization as a whole. Many other countries were also granted their independence, beginning a period of decolonization across the world.

Clay, D. and Lemarchand, . René. "Rwanda." Encyclopedia Britannica, August 10, 2021. https://www.britannica.com/place/Rwanda.

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flag of Rwanda
https://www.britannica.com/place/Rwanda/Health-and-welfare

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