This Day in History: 17 December 1960
Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie returned immediately to his country after a short successful coup launched on 13 December 1960 by the Imperial Bodyguard, the police chief and some radical intellectuals. Selassie was in Brazil on a diplomatic mission. The coup was suppressed by his loyal troops. Upon his return the Emperor pardoned his son, Asfa Wossen, who had been put into power by the rebels.