Gbagbo Seizes Ivory Coast: A Tumultuous Presidency Begins
Laurent Gbagbo seized the presidency of Cote d'Ivoire after a popular uprising toppled the military ruler Robert Guei, who had tried to steal a disputed election. Gbagbo's presidency descended into civil war and ethnic violence, culminating in his own refusal to leave office after losing the 2010 election and his eventual arrest by international forces.
October 26, 2000
26 years ago
What Else Happened on October 26
Roman soldiers arrested Demetrius during Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He was a deacon in Thessaloniki, secretly baptizing converts. They lock…
The earthquake hit Constantinople at dawn. The city walls cracked. The aqueduct collapsed. Thousands died in their homes. Emperor Leo III was in the palace when…
The brothers Asen and Peter launched their rebellion against Byzantine rule during the feast of St. Demetrius, cleverly using the saint's celebration to rally l…
John VI Kantakouzenos proclaimed himself Byzantine Emperor at Didymoteicho, starting a six-year civil war. Emperor Andronikos III had just died. His son was nin…
Tvrtko I crowned himself king of Bosnia on October 26, 1377 in a monastery near his capital. He claimed descent from Serbian royalty that didn't exist. The crow…
Charles V's coronation in 1520 made him Holy Roman Emperor at 20. He already ruled Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Naples, and most of the Americas. His empire…
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