Real events, births and milestones from Africa and the diaspora.
We are adding a source to every entry in this archive. 1 of 7 on this page carry one so far. The rest were written before per-entry citations were recorded, so if you intend to rely on one, check it independently until its source appears here. See our sourcing methodology.
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons Idi Amin proclaimed himself head of state and supreme commander of Uganda's armed forces, dissolved parliament and took the defence ministry, a week after the coup of 25 January that had deposed Milton Obote as he flew home from a Commonwealth summit in Singapore.
Sources: The Guardian ; Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State
Politics
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons South African President F. W. de Klerk announced the unbanning of the African National Congress and promised the release of Nelson Mandela.
Politics
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1928 Gamal Hamdan, Egyptian scholar and geographer known for his influential work on Egypt's geography and character, was born.
Birth
CC BY 3.0 BR, Wikimedia Commons 1946 Alpha Oumar Konaré, who became the 3rd President of Mali and later chaired the African Union Commission, was born.
BirthLaurent Nkunda, Congolese military officer who later led rebel forces in the eastern DRC's Kivu conflict, was born.
BirthKatoucha Niane, Guinean model and author known as the muse of Yves Saint Laurent, died.
DeathMolade Okoya-Thomas, Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, died.
Death