(CNN) -- Moammar Gadhafi's first grab at power occurred 42 years ago in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, when he led a crew of fellow military officers in taking over key government institutions on his way to usurping the nation's monarchy. Ever since, he's referred to himself as the Leader of the Revolution -- though politically, at least, Libya has appeared to be largely stable, with few threats to Gadhafi's power. But that all changed this past week, with reports that tens of thousands took to the streets calling for an end to Gadhafi's rule. And, once again, that change began in Benghazi.
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Moammar Gadhafi led a military coup in 1969 that began in Benghazi
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He now faces his first real popular unrest in 42 years centered in Benghazi
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Gadhafi has been controversial internationally and has become more a statesman lately
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His government has restricted communication and freedom, experts and critics say
While Gadhafi seemed to take on a new role internationally, the world had few insights into what was happening inside @placeholder itself.