On this day — November 12 in African history

The UN General Assembly voted to suspend South Africa from participating in its proceedings over the country's apartheid policies.

Sources: UN Photo (United Nations) ; NISPAcee Annual Conference proceedings (Viona Rashica)

Former Liberian army commander Thomas Quiwonkpa led a failed coup attempt against President Samuel Doe, triggering a brutal government crackdown afterward.

Sources: Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training ; GlobalSecurity.org ; US Department of State (Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1985)

CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Jerry Rawlings, the former Ghanaian air force officer who seized power twice in coups before leading the country's transition to multiparty democracy as elected president, died in Accra.

Sources: The Guardian ; BBC News