The U.S. Capitol Building is opened in the District of Columbia to house the American legislature. Construction was done by enslaved Africans. The Potomac River region in which the U.S. capital is located is home to half of America’s slaves.

British explorer David Livingstone becomes the first European to see the waterfall on the Zambezi River called Mosi-oa-Tunya. Although the falls already has a name, he presumes to give it another: Victoria Falls, after England’s queen.

The Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, opens in Egypt, and will soon become one of the world’s most heavily-utilised shipping routes.

The South African International Exhibition closes in Cape Town. Africa’s first World’s Fair saw 12 European countries as well as India and the U.S. participate with displays and exhibits.

The West African Dahomey Kingdom (Benin) becomes a British Protectorate. (pic: the French Catholic mission in Dahomey)

British aviation pioneer Alan Cobham departs in a multi-engine biplane flying boat to make an aerial survey of Africa. He lands only in British African colonies and possessions. Three documentary movies are made incorporating footage from his flight.

A coup d’état topples Sudan’s democratic government, which has incurred public disfavour by failing to address economic and social issues. Senior generals Ibrahim Abboud (pic), Ahmad Abd al Wahab and retired general Abdallah Khalil form a military government.

The British Labour Party votes in parliament to institute an arms embargo against the apartheid state of South Africa.

A military coup d’état in Nigeria led by General Sani Abacha ends Nigeria’s transitional administration that was meant to move the country from military control to democratic governance.

A major archeological discovery today, as fossils that are 2.5 million years old and belong to an Australopithecus garhi, a prehistoric ancestor of humankind, are discovered in Bouri, Ethiopia.

Islamic militants kill 62 people, mostly European tourists, with firearms and knives at the popular ancient Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt.

Ground is broken for the University of Namibia’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, by Namibian President Sam Nujoma, at Ongwediva.

Residents of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe find a novel way to protest streets that are constantly impassable because of poor city maintenance: residents plant banana trees in the giant potholes.

Nigerian superstar singer Davido on social media tells his friends and family that they must each send one million naira (US$2,400) to a bank account to prove they love him. After receiving 201 million naira, he adds 50 million naira of his own and has an agency distribute the money to Nigerian orphanages.