Botswana: History
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European gold prospectors arrive and begin mining.
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Britain proclaims a protectorate called Bechuanaland, and what is now modern-day Botswana.
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Copper mines are established.
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Bechuanaland is granted independence and becomes the Republic of Botswana.
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Diamonds are discovered in Orapa, which goes on to become the world's largest diamond mine.
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Botswana is a founding member of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) as a joint venture with De Beers.
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The government of Botswana starts the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) as a joint venture with De Beers.
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Global diamond giant De Beets move its rough stone sales operations from London to Gaborone, a step towards turning Botswana into one of the world's top diamond hubs.
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Gay rights group wins legal recognition.
Sources:
BBC NewsBritannica