On this day — October 19 in African history

The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, captured Carthage in North Africa, making it the capital of the Vandal Kingdom.

U.S. Department of Defense / National Archives — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Samora Machel, President of Mozambique and FRELIMO leader, died along with 33 others when his plane crashed in the Lebombo Mountains.

Dele Giwa, pioneering Nigerian investigative journalist, was killed by a parcel bomb, a case that remains a landmark press-freedom controversy.

National Library of Nigeria — CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Yakubu Gowon, Nigerian general who served as head of state during and after the Biafran civil war, was born.

James Bevel, American civil rights strategist who helped organize the Birmingham and Selma campaigns, was born.

Peter Tosh, Jamaican reggae musician and founding member of The Wailers, was born.

Louis Oosthuizen, South African golfer who won the 2010 Open Championship, was born.