The African National Congress (ANC) had decided to launch a campaign against the pass laws, which required all blacks to carry "reference books at all times. The protests were to begin on March 31, 1960. The rival Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) decided to pre-empt the ANC by launching its own campaign ten days earlier, on March 21, 1960.

In a protest organized by the PAC on March 21, a group of between 5000 and 7000 people converged on the local police station, offering themselves up for arrest for not carrying their "reference books".

69 people were killed, and over 180 injured. It is debated whether or not the police attack was provoked. The statements of Lieutenant Colonel Pienaar show that the mere gathering of blacks could have served as a provocation:

"The Native mentality does not allow them to gather for a peaceful demonstration. For them to gather means violence."

A storm of international protest followed the Sharpeville shootings, including condemnation by the United Nations. On April 1, 1960, the United Nations Security Council sat to "consider seriously the apartheid colonial oppression of the African people in South Africa" Sharpeville marked a turning point in South Africa's history; the country found itself increasingly isolated in the international community.

The aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre led to the banning of the ANC and PAC and was one of the catalysts for the foundation of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the ANC.

See also: History of South Africa

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