Events on July 11 in history

Republic of Dahomey (July 11, 1960)

France legislates for the independence of Dahomey (later Benin), Upper Volta (later Burkina) and Niger.

Dahomey, officially the Republic of Dahomey (French: République du Dahomey; pronounced [daɔmɛ]) was established on 4 December 1958, as a self-governing colony within the French Community. Prior to attaining autonomy it had been French Dahomey, part of the French Union. On 1 August 1960, it attained full independence from France.

In 1975, the country was renamed Benin after the Bight of Benin (which was in turn named after the Benin Empire which had its seat of power in Benin City, modern-day Nigeria), since "Benin" was deemed politically neutral for all ethnic groups in the state, whereas "Dahomey" recalled the Fon-dominated Kingdom of Dahomey.

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Events on 1960

17 Mar

Bay of Pigs Invasion
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the National Security Council directive on the anti-Cuban covert action program that will ultimately lead to the Bay of Pigs Invasion.
21 Apr

Rio de Janeiro
Brasília, Brazil's capital, is officially inaugurated. At 09:30, the Three Powers of the Republic are simultaneously transferred from the old capital, Rio de Janeiro.
9 May

Combined oral contraceptive pill
The Food and Drug Administration announces it will approve birth control as an additional indication for Searle's Enovid, making Enovid the world's first approved oral contraceptive pill.
4 Jul

Flag of the United States
Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Act).
29 Oct

Muhammad Ali
In Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay (who later takes the name Muhammad Ali) wins his first professional fight.

Events on July 11 in history

Republic of Dahomey (July 11, 1960)

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1960

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Rio de Janeiro

Combined oral contraceptive pill

Flag of the United States

Muhammad Ali