On This Day

Fulbert Youlou resigns as President of Congo-Brazzaville

Fulbert Youlou (19 July 1917 – 6 May 1972) was a Congolese nationalist leader and former Catholic priest who became the first President of the Republic of the Congo upon its independence in 1960. In...

Fulbert Youlou (19 July 1917 – 6 May 1972) was a Congolese nationalist leader and former Catholic priest who became the first President of the Republic of the Congo upon its independence in 1960.

In August 1960, Youlou led his country into independence. In December 1960, he organised an intercontinental conference in Brazzaville, wherein he praised the advantages of economic liberalism and condemned communism. Youlou disappointed many when he imposed a single-party system and imprisoned union leaders in August 1963; this led to the revolution of the Trois Glorieuses (English: "Three Glorious Days"). Charles de Gaulle despised Youlou and France refused to assist him. Youlou resigned thereafter in the face of overwhelming opposition to his governance.

Historical Significance

Fulbert Youlou (19 July 1917 – 6 May 1972) was a Congolese nationalist leader and former Catholic priest who became the first President of the Republic of the Congo upon its independence in 1960.

Events Before

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  2. John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7

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  3. Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors

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  4. Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

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  5. Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

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Events After

  1. First government report by US Surgeon General Luther Terry warning that smoking may be hazardous

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  2. American MLB baseball player Pete Rose (22) weds first wife Karolyn Englehardt; divorce in 1980

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  3. "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb", political satire film directed by Stanley Kubric

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  4. First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television v

    First appearance of the Beatles on "The Ed Sullivan Show", live from New York; broadcast draws 73.7 million television viewers

  5. Billy Rose and Joyce Mathews divorce again

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More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 15, 1963?
Fulbert Youlou (19 July 1917 – 6 May 1972) was a Congolese nationalist leader and former Catholic priest who became the first President of the Republic of the Congo upon its independence in 1960. In August 1960, Youlou led his country into independence. In December 1960, he organised an intercontinental conference in Brazzaville, wherein he praised the advantages of economic liberalism and condemned communism.
Why is Fulbert Youlou resigns as President of Congo-Brazzaville significant?
Fulbert Youlou (19 July 1917 – 6 May 1972) was a Congolese nationalist leader and former Catholic priest who became the first President of the Republic of the Congo upon its independence in 1960.

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