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Léopold Sédar Senghor (October 9, 1906–December 20, 2001) was an Seneglese poet and politician who served as the first president of Senegal (1960–1980). He also started his own party, called the Senegalese Democratic Bloc.
His poetry was widely acclaimed, and he was the first African to be asked to join the Académie française in 1983. He wrote the lyrics of the national anthem of Senegal: Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons. While in France, became friends with Aimé Césaire and Georges Pompidou (future President of France).
With Aimé Césaire and Léon Damas, Senghor created the concept of Négritude, an important philosophical movement that sought to distance African culture from European influences.
Senghor's tenure as president was characterized by the development of African socialism, which was created as an indigenous alternative to Marxism. On December 31, 1980, he retired in favor of his prime minister, Abdou Diouf.
The airport of Dakar, Dakar-Yoff-Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, is named after him.
See also
| Preceded by: (none) | President of Senegal 1960–1980 | Succeeded by: Abdou Diouf
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