The ancient origins of Congo remain vague and nebulous to the current day. The historical events of Congo start from the discovery of the river with the same name in 1482 by the Portuguese navigator Diego Cam.
The Portuguese explored the country and encountered the Kingdom of Congo.
Time passed until the 18th century before other European expeditions were to reach the African country. The 19th century was the time of great African exploration. The Protestant missionary David Livingstone, and after his death the New York correspondent Stanley, crossed the Congo basin from north-east to south-west.
The Belgian King Leopold II settled in the country by founding associations, such as the International Association for African Exploration and Civilisation (1876) and the International Congolese Association (1879).
In 1885, the Berlin Conference admitted the Independent State of Congo to the level of Nation under the rule of King Leopold II. Antislavery campaigns were intensified under the king's rule. An administrative and economical organisation was created and Congo became a sound, vital reality.
King Leopold passed over his sovereign rights to Belgium in 1908 and Congo thus became a Belgian colony.
The de-colonisation process after the Second World War did not pass without violence. Severe riots broke out in January 1959. The Belgian-Congolese Conference took place from January 20 to February 20, 1960. June 30 was established as independence day. Joseph Kasa Vubu was elected President of the Republic and Patrice Lumumba was appointed Prime Minister.
The Kasai revolt, Lumumba's tragic death, Ciombe's controversial role, Marshal Mubutu Sese Seko's coming into power and starting an over thirty year reign, and the genocide of the Hutu and the Tutsi belong to the often dramatic past of this great, marvellous country.