Portuguese colonisation of this west African country began with coastal settlements and trading posts founded in the 16th century., though it wasn’t until the 1920s when Portugal could claim control of the whole region now known as Angola. 

By the start of the 1960s, several African nations had gained independence from colonial control, such as Ghana and Angola’s neighbour, Congo. While the movement for African nationalism seemed unstoppable, one European nation instead tightened its grip on its overseas colonies – Portugal. 

With the demand for Angolan nationalism increasing, tensions over the forced cultivation of cotton erupted into violence in February 1961.  

In Luanda, On the morning of February 4th, black militants ambushed a police patrol-car and stormed the Civil Jail of São Paulo, the Military Detection House and police barracks, to attempt to free political prisoners that were being held in those facilities.  

This marked the start of the Angolan War of Independence which would continue as part of the Portuguese Colonial War until April 1974, when a new more-liberal regime came to power in Portugal and declared a cease-fire.