What year did the Soweto Uprising occur?

The Soweto Uprising occurred in 1976, marking a significant turning point in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. This event was primarily driven by students protesting against the forced introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools. The protests began on June 16, 1976, when thousands of students marched in Soweto, a township filled with black residents. The police response was brutal, resulting in the deaths of many students, most notably Hector Pieterson, whose image became a powerful symbol of the uprising and the resistance against apartheid. This uprising highlighted the deep-seated anger and dissatisfaction within the black community regarding the oppressive policies of the apartheid regime and galvanized both domestic and international opposition to apartheid. The Soweto Uprising is often seen as a catalyst for increased activism against apartheid and brought considerable global attention to the injustices faced by Black South Africans.