fme_1048683 - REPUBLIC OF UPPER VOLTA Médaille, Maurice Yaméogo, An I de l’indépendance

REPUBLIC OF UPPER VOLTA

(1958-1984)

The Republic of Upper Volta is a state established on December 11, 1958 as a state within the French Community, it previously had the status of an overseas territory and was part of the French Union. On August 5, 1960, it gained independence from France. It changed its name on August 4, 1984 to become Burkina Faso. The first president was Maurice Yaméogo, head of the Alliance for Democracy and Federation/African Democratic Rally. Thomas Sankara came to power in a coup d'état on August 4, 1983. Under his rule, on August 4, 1984, Upper Volta changed its name to become Burkina Faso, which means \"the country of upright men\".