On this day — May 1 in African history

Real events, births and milestones from Africa and the diaspora.

1807

The Slave Trade Act 1807 took effect, abolishing the slave trade throughout the British Empire, a landmark step against the transatlantic trade that had devastated West and Central Africa.

Abolition
1991

The MPLA and UNITA agreed to the terms of the Bicesse Accords, a peace deal intended to end the long-running Angolan Civil War.

Politics
1994

May Day became an officially recognized public holiday in South Africa, reflecting the new government's ties to the labour movement that helped end apartheid.

Culture