Namibia's history is marked by its indigenous peoples, including the San, Damara, and Ovambo, who have lived in the region for thousands of years. In the late 19th century, European powers began to colonize Africa, and Namibia became a German colony known as German South West Africa in 1884. After World War I, Namibia was mandated to South Africa by the League of Nations. The struggle for independence began in the 1960s, led by the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). Namibia finally gained independence on March 21, 1990, becoming a sovereign nation.