Permanent historical records ยท Updated 2026-11-03

1961 in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Explore 7 historical events and records for Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1961.

Historical records for Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1961

Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 7 of 7 unique records.

7Unique records
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6Named people on this page
4Places on this page

January

Death of Patrice Lumumba

Lumumba, Patrice Emery ยท Katanga ยท Former Prime Minister of Congo ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Lumumba is executed in Katanga with Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.

Transfer to Katanga Custody

Lumumba, Patrice Emery ยท Elisabethville ยท Former Prime Minister of Congo ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Is transferred to Katanga, where he is placed in the custody of political enemies before his execution.

February

Ileo Government

Ileo, Joseph ยท Leopoldville ยท Prime Minister of Congo ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Ileo heads a government aligned with President Kasa-Vubu during the continuing constitutional crisis.

July

Reopening of Parliament

Kasa-Vubu, Joseph ยท Leopoldville ยท President of Congo ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Kasa-Vubu reconvenes Parliament to create a broader central government.

August

Formation of Adoula Government

Adoula, Cyrille ยท Leopoldville ยท Prime Minister of Congo ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Adoula forms a coalition government approved by the reconvened Parliament.

Joins Adoula Coalition

Gizenga, Antoine ยท Leopoldville ยท Deputy Prime Minister ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Accepts a deputy premiership in Cyrille Adoula's coalition as parliament attempts to reunify the country.

December

Kitona Declaration

Tshombe, Moise ยท Kitona ยท President of Katanga ยท Government / Government of the Congo

Signs an agreement with Cyrille Adoula accepting in principle the unity of the Congo.

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.