Brussels Round Table Conference
Lumumba joins Congolese delegates negotiating the timetable and framework for independence.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1960 in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Explore 28 historical events and records for Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1960.
Historical records for Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1960
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 28 of 28 unique records.
28Unique records
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28Named events on this page
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8Places on this page
January
Release for Brussels Round Table
Is released from detention so he can participate in the negotiations on Congolese independence.
May
Parliamentary Elections
Lumumba's political alliance emerges as the largest grouping in the national elections.
June
Election as President
Parliament elects Kasa-Vubu as the first President of the independent Congo.
Formation of Independence Government
Lumumba forms a coalition government shortly before national independence.
Congo Independence
Serves as prime minister as the Congo becomes independent from Belgium on 30 June 1960.
Independence Day Speech
Delivers a forceful independence speech condemning colonial humiliation and asserting Congolese dignity.
July
Katanga Secession Declared
Declares Katanga independent from the central government during the opening phase of the Congo Crisis.
Request for United Nations Assistance
Lumumba's government requests United Nations military assistance following Belgian intervention.
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Belgium
The government breaks diplomatic relations with Belgium during the Congo Crisis.
Congolese Army Command
Becomes commander of the renamed national army as the Force Publique mutiny destabilizes the new state.
Washington Diplomatic Mission
Visits Washington seeking political and material support for the new Congolese government.
August
South Kasai Secession
Proclaims an autonomous South Kasai state amid ethnic conflict and the wider collapse of central authority.
Turns to Soviet Assistance
Accepts Soviet transport and logistical support after Western governments refuse the military assistance he requests.
September
Counter-Dismissal of Kasa-Vubu
Rejects his dismissal and announces that President Kasa-Vubu has instead been removed from office.
Dismissal of Lumumba
Kasa-Vubu announces Lumumba's dismissal amid a constitutional struggle over executive authority.
Parliamentary Support
Parliament rejects the competing dismissal orders and confirms support for Lumumba's government.
Mobutu Coup
Mobutu announces political neutralisation and establishes a temporary College of Commissioners.
Removal from Government
Mobutu's coup neutralises Lumumba's government as United States covert support shifts toward the new authorities.
College of Commissioners
Kasa-Vubu formally appoints the temporary College of Commissioners backed by Mobutu.
Chairman of College of Commissioners
Bomboko leads the technical administration established after Mobutu neutralises rival political authorities.
Expulsion of Soviet Advisers
Orders Soviet and Eastern Bloc advisers to leave after his political neutralisation of rival civilian authorities.
November
Escape from House Confinement
Lumumba leaves confinement and attempts to reach supporters in Stanleyville.
December
Capture near Port Francqui
Troops loyal to Mobutu capture Lumumba during his attempted journey eastward.
Stanleyville Rival Government
Establishes a rival administration in Stanleyville claiming to preserve Patrice Lumumba's political authority.
Other events (month unknown)
Army Chief of Staff
Becomes chief of staff of the Congolese National Army during the military crisis following independence.
Independence Date Agreed at Brussels
Participates in negotiations that set 30 June 1960 as the date for Congolese independence.
MNC-Kalonji Split
Leads a more federalist wing away from Lumumba's MNC, deepening political divisions before independence.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.