International Day of Solidarity with the People in Struggle of South Africa

On November 9, 1976 the General Assembly of the United Nations in Resolution 31/6 proclaims June 16 as the International Day of Solidarity with the People in Struggle of South Africa. It commemorates the Soweto massacre that took place on that date in 1976.

The Soweto massacre was a violent crackdown on a series of demonstrations in the suburb of Soweto - a suburb west of the city of Johannesburg (South Africa) - on June 16, 1976 by black youths in opposition to the educational policies put in place by the National Party government during the apartheid regime.

By the end of the uprising in Soweto, at least 176 people had died, including 174 blacks killed by the police. One of the first of whom was Hector Pieterson (aged 12). Two whites were also killed by students.

Every June 16 is celebrated in South Africa as Youth Day in commemoration of the events, and in the African Union as the International Day of the African Child. Likewise, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this date as the International Day of Solidarity with the Struggling People of South Africa.