On this day: January 26 in African history

Kurz & Allison, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

The Governor of Massachusetts received War Department permission to raise the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, one of the first official Black military units in the U.S. Civil War.

Sources: Massachusetts Adjutant-General's Office (Annual Report for 1863, Internet Archive) ; U.S. National Park Service ; U.S. National Archives (National Archives at Boston)

Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

The Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found at 3,106 carats, was discovered at the Premier Mine near Pretoria, South Africa.

Source: Britannica

Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Rioters burned much of downtown Cairo in an event known as 'Black Saturday', targeting British and upper-class Egyptian businesses amid rising anti-colonial anger.

Sources: BBC News ; Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training

Emmasento, CC0, Wikimedia Commons

The National Resistance Army led by Yoweri Museveni overthrew the Ugandan government of Tito Okello, bringing Museveni to power after years of guerrilla war.

Source: Britannica

Government of Somalia, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was removed from power as clan-based rebel factions took Mogadishu, ending centralized government and plunging Somalia into civil war.

Sources: United Press International ; The Independent

Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Rioting broke out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, triggering a political crisis that ended with President Marc Ravalomanana replaced by Andry Rajoelina.

Sources: U.S. Department of State ; Al Jazeera

White House Television Office, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Joseph Saidu Momoh, who served as the second President of Sierra Leone from 1985 to 1992, was born (died 2003).

Sources: Library of Congress (LC Name Authority File) ; Los Angeles Times