Blackbeard the Pirate seizes a French ship carrying 455 enslaved Africans, and puts them on a Caribbean island with three tons of beans. He forces the crew to stay and sail the ship, which he makes his flagship, and renames Queen Anne’s Revenge.
To ensure that American ships are not attacked by Barbary Coast pirates, the U.S. bribes Algiers and Tunis with a naval ship, and agrees to pay annual protection money of US$80,000 (equal to US$1,856,000 in 2022).
The U.S. anti-slavery ship the Truxton makes its last voyage, and is decommissioned by the U.S. Navy in Portsmouth, Virginia. The Truxton led the enforcement of the ban on the importation of enslaved Africans, and captured the notorious New Orleans slave boat Spitfire.
The first European to cross equatorial Africa arrives on the West African coast. Sent by Britain’s Royal Geographic Society in 1873. Verney Cameron departed from Zanzibar with a caravan of 60, and has spent the journey mapping the route and determining the true shape of Lake Tankanyika, which has puzzled mapmakers.
The Battle of Modder River is fought. During South Africa’s Second Anglo-Boer War in “one of the hardest and most trying fights in the annals of the British army,” British troops manage to push back Boer forces. Historically, the engagement showed the futility in modern warfare of the old standard frontal attack by infantry against a guerilla army armed with bolt-action rifles like the Boers possessed.
The first major engagement of the Anglo-Aro War occurs when British troops and soldiers from the Royal Niger Company, which has commercial interests in the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, attack the Aro people’s capital Arochukwu. Britain claims it is motivated by a need to end the Aro slave trade, while the Aro are resisting the intrusion of foreign traders, missionaries and adventurers into their land.
Southern Africa’s The Cape Route between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans remains one of the world’s most important sea lanes for commercial shipping, and during storm season one of its most perilous. Today, the British merchant ship Competitor sends an SOS 75 nautical miles (139 km) southwest of Algoa Bay, South Africa. The ship is never seen again, and all its crew are never heard from again.
Mauritania achieves national independence, from France. The capital is Nouakchott. The national population is 850,377.
Despite Algerian independence in 1962, France continues exploding nuclear devices, like today’s underground blast at Ecker. The explosions are creating a radioactivity problem that will last for generations. (pic: above-ground atomic test in Algeria)
After rising ethnic tensions between Hutu and Tutsi in Burundi, Prime Minister and Tutsi military officer Michel Micombero (pic) stages a coup d’état, overthrows King Ntare V, abolishes the monarchy and begins a one-party dictatorship. Fleeing to Uganda, Ntare will return and be assassinated in 1972. Micombero will be overthrown in a military coup d’état in 1976.
Chad ends diplomatic ties with Israel – one of 22 African nations that break relations with Israel in 1972 and 1973 over a disputed homeland for the Palestinian people. After 50 years, ties will be restored in 2022.
South Africa’s worst aviation disaster occurs when an in-flight fire in the cargo hold of a SAA Boeing 747 causes the plane to break up in mid-air and crash into the Indian Ocean east of Mauritius, killing all 159 people on board.
The National Assembly of São Tomé and Príncipe approves a bill allowing the private ownership of radio and TV stations.
Algeria launches its first satellite, fulfilling its 1990’s agreement to participate in a global effort to use satellites to monitor disasters.
Named after the General Secretary of the South African Communist Party, the Moses Mabhida Stadium opens in Durban South Africa, in time for use for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Pope Francis continues his first trip to Africa in Uganda, with an open-air mass attended by hundreds of thousands of Ugandans. Conducted in eight languages, the mass is held in memory of the 19th century Ugandans who were martyred for practicing their faith.
The restored Palais de Lomé opens as Togo’s first Arts and Culture Centre, featuring exhibits of Togolese art and historic artifacts. Built 1888-1905, the building served as Togo’s Prime Minister’s office and State Guest House before it was destroyed in the 1990 civil uprising.
Egyptian architect, in Cairo, Egypt. The Father of Modern Egyptian Architecture was responsible for several of the country’s iconic structures, including its first skyscraper, the Belmont Building (1958), the soaring Cairo Tower(1961) and the ahead of its time St. Therese’s Church (1948).
Ruler of Mauritania (1984-2005), in Atar, French Mauritania. His 21-years as head of a military government survived coup attempts and tension with the Islamic community when he established Western ties during the 1991 Gulf War. His transition to democracy was too slow, and he was ultimately removed in a coup d’état.
Ghanaian-Liberian comedian, in Monrovia, Liberia. His comedy and acting careers were launched simultaneously in TV and movies in the U.S., where he became a citizen in 2021.
