On this day — August 26 in African history

SWAPO guerrillas clashed with South African forces at Omugulugwombashe in northern Namibia, the first battle of the Namibian War of Independence, now marked annually as Namibia's Heroes' Day.

South African security forces killed at least 28 people in Soweto in one of the bloodiest single days of the township uprising against apartheid.

The German colony of Togoland surrendered to French and British forces after a 20-day campaign, becoming the first German territory to fall in World War I.

Chad became the first French colonial territory to join the Free French cause under Félix Éboué, who became France's first Black colonial governor.

Reuben Kamanga, who became the first vice president of independent Zambia, was born.