Patrice Emery Lumumba (In History) - July 2, 1925 - January 17, 1961

Patrice Lumumba was born in Katako-Kombe in the Kasai Province of the Belgian Congo to the small Batetela tribe. In October 1958, he formed the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), which was the only major party that had a truly national base. Lumumba was a Nationalist and Pan-Africanist, who mobilized the Congolese people to press for independence. In June 1960, he became the first Congolese Prime Minister when the MNC entered national elections, and won a sweeping victory in Stanleyville. As a result, his country became independent of the Belgians. Lumumba tried to reform the Congo, but after much civil unrest, he was dismissed by President Kasavubu. Lumumba contested the move, and was later caught and executed.

Sites referencing Patrice Lumumba:
http://www.africawithin.com/lumumba/historical_bio.htm
http://www.africawithin.com/lumumba/patrice_lumumba.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrice_Lumumba
http://www.blackhistorypages.net/pages/plumumba.php
http://www.nbufront.org/html/MastersMuseums/JHClarke/Contemporaries/LumumbaPassing.html