Even before independence, Congo-Brazzaville was effectively dominated by a single dominant party.
In August 1962, Fulbert Youlou announced his intention to institutionalise this one-party state « afin de sceller la réconciliation et l'unité nationale réalisées » (in order to increase reconciliation and achieve national unity).
He did not experience any opposition; on the contrary, the decision appeared to be enthusiastically received by the MSA leader Jacques Opangault.
In pursuit of this goal, a round table was organised for 3 August 1963, gathering the leaders of the three parties (UDDIA, MSA and PPC), the relevant unions, representatives in the National Assembly and leaders of the Congolese army.
Although not opposed to a one-party state in principle, the unions refused to accept the system proposed by the head of state, on the grounds that they appeared to serve only Youlou's interests.

In order to demonstrate their disapproval, the unions decided to organise an « arrêt de protestation » (protest strike) on 13 August at the Labour exchange in Brazzaville.
The day before this protest, in the night, Youlou had the principal union leaders arrested.
When this news was announced, the simple protest transformed into a true anti-governmental action.
The protestors planned to raid the prison in order to free the union leaders, leading to clashes with security forces.
Hundreds of unionists were killed.
When they finally succeeded, the arrested leaders could not by found.
The anti-governmental protest turned into a riot; the country was paralysed.
The French army co-operated with the Congolese forces in order to re-establish order.
That evening, Abbé instituted a curfew, declared a state of emergency and called for calm on the radio.

The next day, around noon, the President of the Republic declared on the radio:
En raison de la gravité de la situation, je prends en mon nom personnel les pouvoirs civils et militaires.
Un comité restreint, placé sous l'autorité du chef de l'État, aura pour tâche le rétablissement de l'ordre, la reprise du travail et la mise en place des réformes qui s'imposent.

On account of the gravity of the situation, I have taken up civil and military authority.
A select committee under the authority of the Head of State will be charged with restoring order, returning people to work and instituting necessary reforms.

In the evening, the government was dissolved.
However, the ministers Jacques Opangault, Stéphane Tchitchéllé and Dominique Nzalakanda were retained in their roles.
On the announcement that the very unpopular Nzalakanda had been retained, the militant supporters of Youlou decided to join the protestors.
On the morning of 15 August, the mob marched on the Presidential Palace to demand Youlou's resignation.
Some bore placards saying « À bas la dictature de Youlou » (For the fall of Youlou's dictatorship) or « Nous voulons la liberté » (We want freedom).
The unionists managed to secure the sympathy of two captains of the Congolese army.
One of them, Captain Félix Mouzabakani, was Youlou's nephew.
Youlou called de Gaulle and requested French assistance, asking that French troops near Brazzaville free the Presidential Palace, in vain.
Accepting the situation, Youlou announced his resignation as President of the Republic, Mayor of Brazzaville and Member of the National Assembly.

The new regime dubbed the protests of 13, 14 and 15 August 1963 "revolutionary" and named them the « Trois glorieuses » (Three Glorious Days).
Even before independence, Congo-Brazzaville was effectively dominated by a single dominant party. In August 1962, Fulbert Youlou announced his intention to institutionalise this one-party state « afin de sceller la réconciliation et l'unité nationale réalisées » (in order to increase reconciliation and achieve national unity). He did not experience any opposition; on the contrary, the decision appeared to be enthusiastically received by the MSA leader Jacques Opangault. In pursuit of this goal, a round table was organised for 3 August 1963, gathering the leaders of the three parties (UDDIA, MSA and PPC), the relevant unions, representatives in the National Assembly and leaders of the Congolese army. Although not opposed to a one-party state in principle, the unions refused to accept the system proposed by the head of state, on the grounds that they appeared to serve only Youlou's interests.
In order to demonstrate their disapproval, the unions decided to organise an « arrêt de protestation » (protest strike) on 13 August at the Labour exchange in Brazzaville. The day before this protest, in the night, Youlou had the principal union leaders arrested. When this news was announced, the simple protest transformed into a true anti-governmental action. The protestors planned to raid the prison in order to free the union leaders, leading to clashes with security forces. Hundreds of unionists were killed. When they finally succeeded, the arrested leaders could not by found. The anti-governmental protest turned into a riot; the country was paralysed. The French army co-operated with the Congolese forces in order to re-establish order. That evening, Abbé instituted a curfew, declared a state of emergency and called for calm on the radio.
The next day, around noon, the President of the Republic declared on the radio:
En raison de la gravité de la situation, je prends en mon nom personnel les pouvoirs civils et militaires. Un comité restreint, placé sous l'autorité du chef de l'État, aura pour tâche le rétablissement de l'ordre, la reprise du travail et la mise en place des réformes qui s'imposent.
On account of the gravity of the situation, I have taken up civil and military authority. A select committee under the authority of the Head of State will be charged with restoring order, returning people to work and instituting necessary reforms.
In the evening, the government was dissolved. However, the ministers Jacques Opangault, Stéphane Tchitchéllé and Dominique Nzalakanda were retained in their roles. On the announcement that the very unpopular Nzalakanda had been retained, the militant supporters of Youlou decided to join the protestors. On the morning of 15 August, the mob marched on the Presidential Palace to demand Youlou's resignation. Some bore placards saying « À bas la dictature de Youlou » (For the fall of Youlou's dictatorship) or « Nous voulons la liberté » (We want freedom). The unionists managed to secure the sympathy of two captains of the Congolese army. One of them, Captain Félix Mouzabakani, was Youlou's nephew. Youlou called de Gaulle and requested French assistance, asking that French troops near Brazzaville free the Presidential Palace, in vain. Accepting the situation, Youlou announced his resignation as President of the Republic, Mayor of Brazzaville and Member of the National Assembly.
The new regime dubbed the protests of 13, 14 and 15 August 1963 "revolutionary" and named them the « Trois glorieuses » (Three Glorious Days).
Fulbert Youlou