This Day in History January 19, 1966

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It was on this date in 1966, that the women pictured above, Indira Gandhi, became the first female prime minister of India.  She was the only child of prime minister  Jawaharlal Nehru.  From 1947 to 1964, she served as her father's chief of staff.  Her last name came from her lawyer husband (not any relation to the well-known Gandhi).  Her father and successor died, so she was elected to prime minister by India's congress.  She ruled with a strong hand, and there was much controversy concerning her and her policies.  On October 31, 1984, two of her bodyguards shot her in the garden of her residence as prime minister.  Doctors tried to save her, but she was sustained at least 30 bullet wounds.

For more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Gandhi
http://www.biography.com/people/indira-gandhi-9305913
http://famousdaily.com/history/indira-ghandi-prime-minister-india.html