William R. Tolbert, Jr., Liberian politician, 20th President of Liberia (b. 1913)
William Richard Tolbert Jr. (13 May 1913 – 12 April 1980) was the 20th President of Liberia, a position he held from 1971 until 1980, when he was killed in a coup d'état led by Samuel Doe.
Trained as a civil servant, he entered the country's House of Representatives in 1943 for the True Whig Party, then the only established party in the country. He was elected Vice President to William Tubman in 1952 and served in that position until he became President following Tubman's death in 1971.
1980Apr, 12
William R. Tolbert, Jr.
Choose Another Date
Events on 1980
- 26Jan
Egypt
Israel and Egypt establish diplomatic relations. - 2Feb
United States Congress
Reports surface that the FBI is targeting allegedly corrupt Congressmen in the Abscam operation. - 10Jun
Nelson Mandela
The African National Congress in South Africa publishes a call to fight from their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela. - 29Jul
Islamic Revolution
Iran adopts a new "holy" flag after the Islamic Revolution. - 9Oct
14th Dalai Lama
Pope John Paul II shakes hands with the Dalai Lama during a private audience in Vatican City.