The French National Convention decrees the abolition of slavery throughout the French First Republic and its colonies.
AbolitionOn this day — February 4 in African history
Real events, births and milestones from Africa and the diaspora.
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1859 The Codex Sinaiticus, one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of the Bible, is discovered at Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt.
Culture
Copyrighted free use, Wikimedia Commons 1961 The Angolan War of Independence begins as part of the wider Portuguese Colonial War.
IndependenceAmadou Diallo, an unarmed Guinean immigrant, is shot 19 times and killed by NYPD officers in the Bronx, sparking national protests over police conduct.
Diaspora
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 2003 Benyoucef Benkhedda, Algerian politician who led the exile government during the Algerian War of Independence, dies.
Death
Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 2020 Daniel arap Moi, former President of Kenya who led the country for 24 years, dies.
Death
CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons 2023 Sherif Ismail, the 53rd Prime Minister of Egypt, dies.
Death