Ali Maow Maalin, a hospital cook in Merca, Somalia, developed the last known case of naturally occurring smallpox, a milestone toward the disease's global eradication.
ScienceOn this day — October 26 in African history
Real events, births and milestones from Africa and the diaspora.
Robert Guéï stepped down as President of Côte d'Ivoire after mass protests over a disputed election.
PoliticsIbrahim Abboud, Sudanese general who became the first President of Sudan, was born.
Birth
U.S. Department of State — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1961 Uhuru Kenyatta, who served as the fourth President of Kenya, was born.
BirthAhmad Baba al-Timbukti, Berber scholar and jurist of Timbuktu who authored more than 40 works, was born.
Birth
Library of Congress — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1871 Liberian President Edward James Roye was overthrown after his government's controversial foreign loan agreement sparked unrest; he died in disputed circumstances soon after.
Politics
Photo by Agence de presse Meurisse — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons 1902 Beryl Markham, English-born Kenyan aviator and author who became the first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic from east to west, was born.
Achievement
Photo by Sassy — CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons 1976 Florence Kasumba, Ugandan-German actress known for playing Ayo in Marvel's Black Panther films, was born.
BirthSenzo Meyiwa, South African international goalkeeper and captain of Orlando Pirates, was shot and killed during a robbery at his girlfriend's home.
Death