1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état on August 5, 1970. While in prison, he attempted to take his own life unsuccessfully. The new military government set 1970 as a deadline for the return to civilian governance. Lieutenant Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana – later made Major General – would instead remain President for fourteen years, until his overthrow by Colonel Saye Zerbo on 25 November 1980. 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état The 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état was an event which took place on 3 January 1966 in the Republic of Upper Volta (today Burkina Faso), when following large-scale popular unrest the military intervened against the government, forced
Republic of Upper Volta Commissioner: From 1971 to 1987, the Republic of Upper Volta was reigned by Prime Minister: The three colors of the national flag of Upper Volta come from the fact that the Volta has three parts: In French: Verse 1: "Fière Volta de mes aieux," "Ton soleil ardent et glorieux" "Te revêt d'or et de fierté" "Ô Reine drapée de loyauté !" Refrain: "Nous te ferons et plus forte, et plus belle" "À ton amour nous resterons fidèles" "Et nos cœurs vibrant de fierté" "Acclameront ta beauté" "Vers l'horizon lève les yeux" "Frémis aux accents tumultueux" "De tes fiers enfants tous