Sunday marks the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre. On 21 March 1960 police opened fire on unarmed protestors in the South African township of Sharpeville, 30 miles from Johannesburg. 69 people were killed and the atrocity became a symbol of the struggle against apartheid, forcing the world to confront the injustices taking place in the country just as the Civil Rights movement began to gather momentum in America. Nelson Mandela recognised the significance of this event by arranging for South Africa's new post-arpartheid constitution to be signed in Sharpeville in 1996. More information here and an there is an audio slideshow here. The original report from the Guardian is here.
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