The Saur Revolution was a coup in which officers loyal to the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan overthrew the government of President Mohammed Daoud Khan, who was killed along with many members of his family. The party had two rival wings, Khalq and Parcham, and its leader Nur Muhammad Taraki became head of state of the new Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The new rulers launched radical reforms in land ownership, marriage customs and education, and also began violent purges of opponents. These measures provoked resistance in the countryside and rivalry within the party itself, and the situation spiraled into insurgency. In December 1979 the Soviet Union sent troops to support the government, beginning a decade-long war.
Before and after
- 6 January 1978Discovery of 81P/Wild
- 25 January 1978Birth of Volodymyr Zelenskyy
- 28 January 1978Birth of Gianluigi Buffon
- 11 March 1978Coastal Road massacre
- from 27 April 1978 to 28 April 1978Saur Revolution
- from 30 April 1978 to 1 April 1992Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
- 13 May 1978Basaglia Law
- 20 May 1978Construction of Narita International Airport
- 9 June 1978Birth of Miroslav Klose
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The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.