Daily History Challenge · No. 60 · Thursday 27 August 2026 · Chain
Puzzle No. 60: Chain
The anchor was Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule (1980 CE). Every challenger is listed below with its year.
The anchor
Zimbabwe achieved internationally recognised independence in 1980, ending white-minority rule in the former Rhodesia after a long liberation war. At the stroke of midnight on 18 April 1980, the Union Jack was lowered in Salisbury and a new flag raised, its Zimbabwe Bird set against colours for the African majority and the blood shed in the struggle. Robert Mugabe, whose ZANU (PF) party had swept February elections, was sworn in as the country's first prime minister and, in a widely noted speech, pledged racial reconciliation with the defeated white settlers. The settlement followed the Lancaster House Agreement, which ended the guerrilla war between white-ruled Rhodesia and Black nationalist forces. Independence marked the collapse of one of Africa's last white-supremacist regimes and was celebrated across the continent as a milestone in decolonisation, with Bob Marley performing at the ceremony. Mugabe's rule, initially praised for expanding schooling and health care, later hardened into authoritarianism and economic collapse, but 1980 stood as a defining moment of African self-determination.
The 10 challengers, in order of date
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule
Before Zimbabwe Wins Independence Under Majority Rule