The Gwangju Uprising was a popular uprising in the South Korean city of Gwangju against the military government. It followed the seizure of power by General Chun Doo-hwan and the extension of martial law, which closed universities and banned political activity. Students began protests that were violently suppressed by paratroopers, which prompted many residents to join. Citizens took weapons from police stations, forced the troops to leave and ran the city for several days, until the army retook it. The death toll is disputed, with official figures lower than those of civil groups. The uprising was long censored, but it became a symbol of the struggle for democracy, and Chun was later tried and convicted.
Before and after
- from 30 April 1980 to 5 May 1980Iranian Embassy Siege
- 4 May 1980Death of Josip Broz Tito
- 8 May 1980Smallpox is declared eradicated
- 17 May 1980Internal conflict in Peru
- from 18 May 1980 to 27 May 1980Gwangju Uprising
- 1 June 1980Founding of CNN
- 20 July 1980Birth of Gisele Bündchen
- 25 July 1980Death of Vladimir Vysotsky
- 26 July 1980Birth of Jacinda Ardern
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The era
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