Pass Laws
Publicly burns his pass during a demonstration
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1960 in South Africa — Page 2
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
2 of 4Page
29Named events on this page
11Named people on this page
6Places on this page
March
Pass Laws
Publicly burns his pass in front of the press
Pass Laws
Publicly burns his pass in front of the press
Demonstrations
50,000 demonstrate against the pass laws in the township of Langa
External Mission Begins
Begins building international support for sanctions and political pressure.
Leaves South Africa
Leaves South Africa on instructions from the ANC leadership.
Massacre
The ANCs Day of Mourning for the Sharpeville Massacre
National Day of Mourning
Calls a national day of mourning for Sharpeville victims.
Pass Laws
The ANCs national stay-at-home day. The ANCs Day of Mourning for the Sharpeville Massacre
Pass Laws
50,000 demonstrate against the pass laws in the township of Langa
Sharpeville Stay-at-Home
Supports a nationwide stay-at-home against racial repression.
State of Emergency
The Government suspends habeas corpus. The Government declares a State of Emergency. South Africa is placed under martial law
ANC Leadership Crackdown
Faces repression as emergency powers restrict political activity.
Cape Town March
Leads tens of thousands from Langa toward central Cape Town.
Emergency Detention
Is detained during the state of emergency crackdown.
Emergency Detention
Is detained with thousands of activists during the emergency.
Emergency Detention
Is caught in the government crackdown on ANC leadership.
Emergency Government Powers
Emergency regulations expand government powers following Sharpeville.
Emergency Powers Invoked
Emergency powers permit mass detention and restrictions on meetings.
Mass Protest March
Persuades the huge crowd to disperse peacefully after negotiations.
Post-Sharpeville Imprisonment
Joins thousands imprisoned following the Sharpeville crisis.
State of Emergency
Government declares a state of emergency after Sharpeville.
State of Emergency Arrest
Remains imprisoned as opposition leaders are detained.
State of Emergency Detention
Is detained after the government declares a state of emergency.
State of Emergency Imprisonment
Remains imprisoned while Treason Trial proceedings continue.
State of Emergency Proclamation
Serves as governor-general during the declaration of emergency.
Pass Laws
1st day of the ANC campaign against the Pass Laws
Pass Laws
Anti-Pass Law deptutations are sent to local authorities
Apartheid Policy Concerns
Questions whether existing apartheid policies can continue unchanged.
Arrest of Albert Lutuli
Arrested for 5 months
Cabinet Misgivings After Sharpeville
Expresses misgivings about government policy after Sharpeville.
Pass Laws
Leads an anti-pass campaign
April
Pass Laws Reinstated
Government restores enforcement of pass laws after temporary suspension.
Pass Suspension Ends
Pass controls resume during the post-Sharpeville emergency.
ANC
The ANC is banned until 1990. Membership of the ANC & the PAC is punishable by imprisonment
ANC
The ANC & PAC are banned by the Unlawful Organisations Act
ANC and PAC Banned
Government bans the ANC and PAC under new legislation.
ANC and PAC Banning Announced
Announces the banning of the ANC and PAC.
Legislation
The ANC & PAC are banned by the Unlawful Organisations Act
PAC
The ANC & PAC are banned by the Unlawful Organisations Act. Membership of the ANC & the PAC is punishable by imprisonment
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.