On this day in 1977 South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko is killed in police custody. Steve Biko was arrested in August 1977. His interrogation lasted 22 hours and included being tortured and beat to the point he was in a coma. Steve Biko suffered major head injuries and was chained to a window grille for a day. He died on this day from his injuries.

Peter Gabriel wrote a song about Steve Biko called “Biko” which came out on his 1980 album “Peter Gabriel”

A 1987 film “Cry Freedom” was about Biko’s life.