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Events on July 11 in history

Republic of Dahomey
1960Jul, 11

France legislates for the independence of Dahomey (later Benin), Upper Volta (later Burkina) and Niger.

Dahomey, officially the Republic of Dahomey (French: République du Dahomey; pronounced [daɔmɛ]) was established on 4 December 1958, as a self-governing colony within the French Community. Prior to attaining autonomy it had been French Dahomey, part of the French Union. On 1 August 1960, it attained full independence from France.

In 1975, the country was renamed Benin after the Bight of Benin (which was in turn named after the Benin Empire which had its seat of power in Benin City, modern-day Nigeria), since "Benin" was deemed politically neutral for all ethnic groups in the state, whereas "Dahomey" recalled the Fon-dominated Kingdom of Dahomey.

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Events on 1960

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  • 17Mar

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  • 9May

    Combined oral contraceptive pill

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  • 4Jul

    Flag of the United States

    Due to the post-Independence Day admission of Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959, the 50-star flag of the United States debuts in Philadelphia, almost ten and a half months later (see Flag Act).
  • 29Oct

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    In Louisville, Kentucky, Cassius Clay (who later takes the name Muhammad Ali) wins his first professional fight.