Zimbabwe Timeline of Events

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Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three official languages: English, Shona and Ndebele...

Timeline of Events

1855

11.17.1855

David Livingstone becomes the first European to see the Victoria Falls in what is now present-day Zambia-Zimbabwe.

1890

9.12.1890

Salisbury, Rhodesia, is founded.

1965

11.11.1965

In Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe), the white-minority government of Ian Smith unilaterally declares independence.

1979

6.1.1979

The first black-led government of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 90 years takes power.

1980

3.4.1980

Nationalist leader Robert Mugabe wins a sweeping election victory to become Zimbabwe's first black prime minister.

4.18.1980

The Republic of Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) comes into being, with Canaan Banana as the country's first President.

8.25.1980

Zimbabwe joins the United Nations.

8.31.1980

Zimbabwe establishes diplomatic relations with Algeria.

2000

7.20.2000

In Zimbabwe, Parliament opens its new session and seats opposition members for the first time in a decade.

2002

3.19.2002

Zimbabwe is suspended from the Commonwealth on charges of human rights abuses and of electoral fraud, following a turbulent presidential election.