1. Sharpeville Massacre
Wyatt Egger

2. South African township in Transvaal
Setting
March 21st, 1960
South African township in Transvaal

3. Preceding Events Protest against pass laws
ANC organized protests that were going to start on March 31st, but the PAC had theirs 10 days earlier because they believed the ANC could not win the campaign

4. The Massacre
A group between 5,000 and 10,000 converged on the police station offering themselves for arrest
Eventually, policemen felt threatened and began shooting at the crowd
No one in the crowd had weapons
69 killed, and 180 were injured
Many shot in the back in attempts to get away; caused paralysis

11. Response Many more protests and strikes throughout South Africa
Government declared a state of emergency; made PAC and ANC illegal
Condemned by United Nations
Turning point in the shift from passive resistance to armed resistance

12. Modern Day In 1994, March 21st became Human Rights Day in South Africa
Where Nelson Mandela signed the Constitution of South Africa in 1996
Memorial opened in 2002