Ashton Evans HOD

Congo River discovered

May 10, 1482

While sailing to the African coast, Diogo Cao's crew was desperate for water and found muddy brown water rushing into the bay. They followed the water and found the Congo River.

Joseph Conrad born

Dec 3, 1857

Joseph Conrad was born in Berdyzcow to Apollo Korzeniowski and Ewa nee Bobrowska.

Conrad family exiled

Apr 10, 1862

After Conrad's father was arrested for patriotic conspiracy, his family was exiled to Vologda, Siberia.

Conrad becomes an orphan

Apr 3, 1869

Conrad became an orphan and was placed in the care of his uncle at the age of 12.

Conrad learns English

Apr 10, 1877

At the age of 20, Joseph Conrad learned English. His first language was Polish.

Suicide Attempt

Mar 10, 1878

Conrad attempts to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest but recovers.

Leopold's Congo

Aug 10, 1879

After missing out on the Congo in the scramble, Leopold was determined to reclaim his land. He had Henry Stanley travel up and down the Congo River and establish 22 small towns.

International Association of the Congo claims region of Congo

Apr 22, 1884

President Chester A. Arthur decided that the cessions claimed by Leopold were lawful and recognized the International Association of the Congo's claim on the region.

Belgian Congo established

Apr 10, 1885

The Congo Free State became known as the Belgian Congo after Belgium gained control of it.

Free State of Congo created

May 29, 1885

The Free State of Congo was created after the Scramble for Africa

Scramble for Africa

Period: Apr 10, 1886 to Apr 10, 1914

European countries colonized all of Africa. Before this, the only areas that were colonized were areas near the coast including the Congo.

Conrad visits the Belgian Congo

Period: Apr 3, 1890 to Apr 3, 1894

Conrad visited the Belgian Congo. He was able to write one of his very famous novels, but also had a physical and mental breakdown

Retired Seaman

Apr 10, 1895

Conrad retired from his life as a seaman and published his first book, Almayer's Folly

Conrad married

Apr 10, 1895

Joseph Conrad married Jessie George and they had two sons together.

"Heart of Darkness" Published

Apr 10, 1902

Joseph Conrad published his short story "Heart of Darkness". This story was based in the Congo where he spent a large portion of his life while he was a seaman.

End of Leopold II's reign

Apr 10, 1908

After political pressure and diplomatic maneouvres, Leopold II was removed from power and the Free State of Congo was annexed as a Belgium colony.

Congo territory

Apr 10, 1914

At this time the Congo was called the Belgian Congo and consisted of what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo.

Joseph Conrad dies

Aug 3, 1924

Joseph Conrad died at his home of a heart attack. He was 67 years old and died in Canterbury, England.

Congo Independence

Jun 30, 1960

The Democratic Republic of Congo recieved its indepedence from Belgium.

Mobutu in Power

Apr 10, 1965

Mobutu seized power and renamed the country Zaire.

Dam created

Apr 10, 1972

A dam, Inga I, was built to harvest the Congo River's power.

Congo Invaded

Apr 10, 1997

Rwanda invaded the Congo to flush out extremist Hutu militias.

Mobutu overthrown

Apr 10, 1997

Rebel insurgent Gen. Laurent Kabila overthrew Mobutu and changed the Zaire back to the DR of Congo.

African "World War"

Period: Apr 10, 1998 to Apr 10, 2003

The DR of Congo was involved in the African "World War" in which hundreds of people died.

Laurent Kabila killed

Apr 10, 2001

Laurent Kabila was assasinated and his son Joseph Kabila took over power.