Constitution of South Africa
During a vote of confidence Verwoerd announces a referendum on the republic
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1960 in South Africa
Explore 131 historical events and records for South Africa in 1960.
Historical records for South Africa in 1960
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 131 unique records.
131Unique records
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32Named events on this page
12Named people on this page
6Places on this page
January
Referendum
During a vote of confidence Verwoerd announces a referendum on the republic
Vote of Confidence
During a vote of confidence Verwoerd announces a referendum on the republic
February
Macmillan Speech Reception
Rejects external pressure to dismantle the apartheid system.
Wind of Change Response
Receives Harold Macmillan's Wind of Change speech before Parliament.
MacMillan makes a speech
MacMillan makes a speech before the South African Parliament, the "winds of change"
Speech
MacMillan makes a speech before the South African Parliament, the "winds of change"
March
Defence Case Continues
Challenges government allegations against Congress Alliance leaders.
Treason Trial Defence
Participates as the defence opens its Treason Trial case.
Anti-Pass Campaign Announced
Announces that the PAC will begin its anti-pass campaign.
PAC Campaign Declaration
Calls for disciplined nonviolent protest against compulsory passes.
Anti-Pass Circular
Authorises instructions for the 21 March campaign.
PAC Mobilisation Order
Urges supporters to leave passes at home and surrender peacefully.
Leaves South Africa
Leaves South Africa shortly before the anti-pass campaign.
PAC External Mission
Begins organising international representation for the PAC.
ANC
The PAC announces it will launch its anti-pass law campaign, seperate from the ANC
ANC
After the Sharpville massacre the ANC & PAC are banned
Anti-Pass Arrest
Seeks arrest as part of the PAC anti-pass campaign.
Government Response to Sharpeville
Defends government security policy amid international condemnation.
Massacre
World opinion turns against apartheid. Over 400 are wounded, including women & children. For the 1st time the United Nations intervenes in South Africa. Black protestors are massacred protesting against apartheid pass laws, 69 are killed. After the Sharpville massacre the ANC & PAC are banned
Orlando Surrender
Presents himself at Orlando police station without a pass.
Pass Laws
The PAC announces it will launch its own anti-pass law campaign
Pass Laws
The PAC announces it will launch its anti-pass law campaign, seperate from the ANC
Sharpeville Crisis
Faces a national political crisis after police killings at Sharpeville.
Incitement Charge
Is charged with incitement alongside Robert Sobukwe.
Incitement Charge
Is charged with incitement following the anti-pass campaign.
PAC Leadership Arrest
Faces prosecution for organising the PAC anti-pass campaign.
PAC Leadership Prosecution
Faces prosecution with other PAC leaders after Sharpeville.
Caledon Square Protest
Uses mass voluntary arrest to challenge the pass system.
Langa Surrender March
Leads Langa residents to surrender themselves for arrest.
Anti-Pass Protest
Urges peaceful resistance to the pass system after Sharpeville.
Orlando Anti-Pass Demonstration
Participates in coordinated defiance against pass restrictions.
Orlando Anti-Pass Protest
Supports national resistance to the pass laws.
Orlando Protest
Joins public defiance against the pass system after Sharpeville.
Orlando Protest
Joins Mandela and Nokwe in publicly rejecting pass controls.
Pass Burning
Burns his pass during the ANC protest in Orlando.
Pass Burning
Publicly burns his reference book in protest against pass laws.
Pass Burning
Burns his pass with other ANC leaders in Orlando.
Pass Burning
Burns his pass publicly alongside other ANC leaders.
Pass Burning
Burns his pass during the coordinated ANC protest.
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.