Tannenberg — CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Wikimedia Commons 1942 The Battle of Gazala began in Italian Libya, a major North African campaign engagement of World War II that led to Rommel's capture of Tobruk.
HistoryOn this day — May 26 in African history
Real events, births and milestones from Africa and the diaspora.
We are adding a source to every entry in this archive. 0 of 6 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.
Tannenberg — CC BY-SA 3.0 de, Wikimedia Commons 1942 
Suidpunt — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1948 South Africa's National Party won the all-white general election, beginning the era of formal apartheid rule.
HistoryThe Constitutive Act of the African Union entered into force, formally replacing the Organisation of African Unity.
Politics
Ange Tissier — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1883 Emir Abd al-Qadir (Abdelkader El Djezairi), the Algerian resistance leader who fought French colonization, died.
Death
Paco Marí — CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons 2002 Mamo Wolde, the Ethiopian runner who won the marathon at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, died.
DeathJ.F. Ade Ajayi, the Nigerian historian who helped pioneer the modern study of African history, was born.
Birth