(Boxer, the twelfth lunar month, the first day), January 17, 1961, murder of Congo's first prime minister, Patrice Lumumba.

1961 1 17, the first prime minister of Congo (Leopoldville), the national hero Patrice Lumumba in Katanga (now Sabah) Tshombe Group killed. In 1959, Lumumba to participate in the leadership of the national independence struggle of the Congolese people against Belgian colonial rule. Congo gained independence in 1960, he served as the first Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. Lumumba was killed, held in March 1961, the Third All-African People's Assembly announced his African hero. (History TodayOnHistory.com)