1994 Tutsis of Rwanda: 800,000 killed by Hutus

President Juvénal Habyarimana is killed

Apr 6, 1994

Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana is killed when his plane is shot out of the sky.

political opponents killed

Apr 7, 1994

Hutu extremists begin killing their political opponents.

Massacre at Gikondo

Apr 9, 1994

Massacre at Gikondo - hundreds of Tutsis are killed in the Pallottine Missionary Catholic Church. Since the killers were clearly targeting only Tutsi, the Gikondo massacre was the first clear sign that a genocide was occurring.

Massacre at the Nyarubuye Roman Catholic Church

Period: Apr 15, 1994 to Apr 16, 1994

Massacre at the Nyarubuye Roman Catholic Church - thousands of Tutsi are killed, first by grenades and guns and then by machetes and clubs.

The Kibuye Massacres

Apr 18, 1994

The Kibuye Massacres. An estimated 12,000 Tutsis are killed after sheltering at the Gatwaro stadium in Gitesi. Another 50,000 are killed in the hills of Bisesero. More are killed in the town's hospital and church.

Tutsi flee

Apr 28, 1994

Approximately 250,000 people, mostly Tutsi, flee to neighboring Tanzania.

Tutsi Flee

Period: Apr 28, 1994 to Apr 29, 1994

Approximately 250,000 people, mostly Tutsi, flee to neighboring Tanzania.

RPF takes control

May 23, 1994

The RPF takes control of the presidential palace.

Safe Zone

Jul 5, 1994

The French establish a safe zone in the southwest corner of Rwanda.

Hutus Beging to Flee

Jul 13, 1994

Approximately one million people, mostly Hutu, begin fleeing to Zaire (now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

RPF gains control of the country.

Period: Jul 13, 1994 to Jul 29, 1994

mid-July The Rwanda Genocide ends when the RPF gains control of the country.