1969 — The Coup That Remade Libya

On September 1, 1969, a 27-year-old officer named Muammar Gaddafi led a group of young officers in a nearly bloodless coup against Libya's King Idris, who was abroad for medical treatment. Within hours they seized radio stations, airports, and government buildings in Tripoli and Benghazi, proclaimed the Libyan Arab Republic, and ended the monarchy that had ruled since 1951.

Gaddafi expelled foreign military bases and nationalized oil, using petroleum wealth to fund ambitious programs across Africa. It was the start of one of the continent's longest rule: he would hold Libya for 42 years, until his overthrow and death in 2011.