Major events in the history of Congo's independenceProclaimed on 30 June 1960, the independence of Congo was the fundamental step of a long process that exerted profound and far-reaching effects and gradually led to the creation of Congolese nationhood and identity. In other words, the process began long before 30 June 1960 and continued long after the signing of Congo's independence law. From the interwar period to the 2006 elections, this chronology outlines more than 80 years of Congo's turbulent history of emancipation.

1920-1959: DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENCE

1. The 'colour bar': a system of legal inequality
2. Resistance and repression: Kimbanguism, strikes, mutinies, revolts, Anioto (leopard men) and crocodile men
3. War efforts and War debts (1939-1945)
4. The model colony, the Ten Year Plan (1949-1959): economic and social development and suppressed political aspiration
5. Towards independence: the manifesto of Conscience Africaine, first elections, formation of political parties

RUPTURE: THE LEOPOLDVILLE RIOTS OF 4 JANUARY 1959

ACCELERATION

6. The Political Round Table (20 January-20 February 1960)
   The Financial, Economic and Social Round Table (26 April-16 May 1960)
7. Independence signing (30 June 1960)

INDEPENDENCE

1960-1965: UNREST

8. Mutinies, secessions and rebellions: the period of unrest that followed 30 June 1960 left an indelible mark on Congolese memories

1965-1997 - THE CREATION OF A NATIONAL IDENTITY: THE MOBUTU YEARS

9. The campaign for authenticity and Zaireanization

TRANSITION

10. Confusion and disorder (1990-1997)
11. The Congolese Wars (1996-1997; 1998-2003)

DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

12. The 30 July and 29 October 2006 elections