Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Siad Barre

Role / Field:

Somali military officer and politician who served as President of Somalia (1969-1991).

Born:

1919-10-06

Died:

1995-01-02

Century / Era:

1919s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Mohammed Siad Barre ( ; Somali: Maxamed Siyaad Barre; Arabic: محمد زياد بري; c. 6 October 1919 – 2 January 1995) was a Somali military officer, politician, and revolutionary who served as the third president of Somalia from 21 October 1969 to 26 January 1991. Barre, the commander of the Somali National Army, became president of Somalia after the 1969 coup d'état that overthrew the Somali Republic following the assassination of President Abdirashid Shermarke. The Supreme Revolutionary Council military junta under Barre reconstituted Somalia as a one-party Marxist–Leninist communist state, renamed the country the Somali Democratic Republic and adopted scientific socialism.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Barre spoke three languages, English, Somali and Italian. Barre's early rule was characterised by attempts at widespread modernization, nationalization of banks and industry, promotion of cooperative farms, a new writing system for the Somali language, and anti-tribalism. In 1976, the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party became the country's vanguard party. The following year Barre launched the Ogaden War against Ethiopia's Derg regime, supporting the Western Somali Liberation Front on a platform of Somali nationalism...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adelina Patti — Contemporary (Died in 1919) (1919): Legendary Spanish-Italian soprano renowned for her bel canto technique and lyrical voice.
• Akashi Motojiro — Contemporary (Died in 1919) (1919): General in the Imperial Japanese Army and Governor-General of Taiwan.
• Alan Young — Contemporary (Born in 1919) (1919): Esteemed British actor, celebrated for voicing Scrooge McDuck and starring in variety shows.
• Adolfo Pedernera — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Argentine football legend, nicknamed 'El Maestro,' pivotal in the 1940s.
• Alexander Knox — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): Esteemed Canadian actor and writer, known for dramatic roles and literary contributions.
• Annie M.G. Schmidt — Contemporary (Died in 1995) (1995): A celebrated Dutch writer, hailed as the mother of Dutch theatrical song and children's literature.
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson — Shared historical date (10-06 · Died) (1892): Victorian Poet Laureate known for lyrical verse and mythological themes.
• Anwar Sadat — Shared historical date (10-06 · Died) (1981): Egyptian President who spearheaded economic reform and the peace treaty with Israel.
• Amaka Igwe — Shared historical date (01-02 · Born) (1963): Pioneering Nigerian filmmaker and broadcasting executive known for the video film era.
• Anton Pannekoek — Shared historical date (01-02 · Born) (1873): Dutch astronomer, philosopher, and leading Marxist theorist of council communism.
• 1919 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1919
• October 6 (10-06) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 6
• 1995 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1995
• January 2 (01-02) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 2

Frequently Asked Questions about Siad Barre