On September 12, 1977, Stephen Bantu Biko, a South African anti-apartheid activist and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, died while in police custody. He was arrested on August 18, 1977, and brutally beaten during interrogation by the South African security forces. After suffering severe head injuries, he was transported naked in the back of a police van for over 1,000 km (620 miles) to Pretoria, where he died from his injuries.

Biko’s death became a symbol of the brutality of the apartheid regime, sparking international outrage and increasing pressure on the South African government. His legacy continues to inspire movements for justice and human rights worldwide.