On this day — January 8 in African history

Unknown author — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

The African National Congress was founded in Bloemfontein under the name South African Native National Congress, with John Langalibalele Dube as its first president.

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Romanus Pontifex, granting Portugal exclusive rights to trade with and colonize all of Africa south of Cape Bojador.

Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Following the Battle of Blaauwberg, the Dutch Cape Colony in southern Africa passed into British hands, becoming the British Cape Colony.

Gundan — CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

French voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum backing Charles de Gaulle's policy of self-determination for Algeria, a key step toward Algerian independence.

Gunmen from a Cabinda separatist group attacked a bus carrying the Togo national football team ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, killing three people.

Government of Seychelles — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

James Mancham, first President of the Seychelles after independence, died at age 77.

The U.S. Congress passed legislation granting African American men the right to vote in Washington, D.C., a step ahead of the 15th Amendment's ratification.