Which significant event occurred in South Africa in 1966?

In 1966, the significant event was the assassination of Hendrik Verwoerd, who was the Prime Minister of South Africa and a key architect of the apartheid system. Verwoerd's policies were instrumental in institutionalizing racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, making his assassination a pivotal moment in the history of apartheid. This event not only marked a turning point in the political landscape of South Africa but also highlighted the increasing tensions and conflicts within the country regarding the oppressive regime.

The impact of Verwoerd's death reverberated throughout the nation and led to further changes within the apartheid government, as it prompted a shift in leadership and policy directions. It also set the stage for the continuing struggle against apartheid, as various groups became more galvanized to oppose the apartheid regime.

The other choices are linked to different significant events in South African history but occurred either before or after 1966. For example, Steve Biko's death in 1977 and Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 are crucial events that marked different phases in the anti-apartheid movement, while the end of apartheid is generally recognized with the 1994 democratic elections.