Sierra Leone achieved independence from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961, and Milton Margai became the country's first Prime Minister. Sierra Leone held its first general election as an independent nation on May 27, 1962. Siaka Stevens was democratically elected Prime Minister in 1967, however, once in office, he became increasingly authoritarian during his rule from 1968 to 1985. From 1978 to 1985, Stevens' APC party was the only legal political party in Sierra Leone, and all other political parties were banned.