By Dannie Gore

Soweto, South Africa

On June 16, 1976, black high school students numbering in the thousands took to the streets to protest their grievances over a racially discriminatory educational policy that forced them to use Afrikaans as the official language in the classroom.

The ensuing clashes between the police and the defenseless children resulting in up to 23 deaths. However, anti-apartheid activists disputed that claim. They stated that close to 200 people died that day.

Across the world, a wave of political pressure was mounted on apartheid regime Prime Minister John Vorster. Surprisingly, The United States remained silent in the aftermath of the Soweto Uprising.

To the shock of many anti-apartheid campaigners, this issue was swept under the carpet during the meeting between then U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and Vorster.