The Belgian Congo was a Belgian colony from 1908 to 1960, when it became the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Patrice Lumumba was the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, serving from June 30, 1960, to September 5, 1960.

The State of Katanga was a secessionist state that was formed in Katanga province in 1960, led by Moise Tshombe.

Dag Hammarskjöld was the leader of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) from 1960 to 1961.

Operation Grandslam was a military operation that was launched by the United Nations to suppress the secessionist movement in Katanga in 1961.

Pierre Mulele was the leader of the Simba Rebellion in 1964, which aimed to overthrow the government of Joseph Kasavubu and Moise Tshombe.

Operation Dragon Rouge was a military operation that was launched by the Congolese government to suppress the Simba Rebellion in 1964, with the assistance of Belgian and American mercenaries.

Christophe Gbenye was the leader of the Congolese National Liberation Council (CNLC) that was formed in 1964, which aimed to establish a socialist government in the Congo.

Operation Leopard II was a military operation that was launched by the Congolese government to suppress the CNLC rebellion in 1965, with the assistance of Belgian and American mercenaries.

Laurent-Désiré Kabila was the leader of the Congolese National Liberation Front (CNLF) that was formed in 1966, which aimed to overthrow the government of Mobutu Sese Seko.

Operation Dragon Rouge III was a military operation that was launched by the Congolese government to suppress the CNLF rebellion in 1967, with the assistance of Belgian and American mercenaries.

Pierre Mulele was the leader of the Congolese Liberation Movement (CLM) that was formed in 1967, which aimed to overthrow the government of Mobutu Sese Seko.

Operation Leopard IV was a military operation that was launched by the Congolese government to suppress the CLM rebellion in 1968, with the assistance of Belgian and American mercenaries.

Laurent-Désiré Kabila was the leader of the Congolese National Liberation Army (CNLA) that was formed in 1968, which aimed to overthrow the government of Mobutu Sese Seko.

Operation Dragon Rouge V was a military operation that was launched by the Congolese government to suppress the CNLA rebellion in 1969, with the assistance of Belgian and American mercenaries.