In decline since 395, the Roman Empire falls as Romulus, the last of the Roman emperors, is overthrown by the first Barbarian to rule in Rome, the Germanic leader Odoacer. Rome’s colonies in North Africa, which extend from what will become Morocco to Libya, face unsettled political futures.
Francisco Guterres, ruler of the Ndongo Kingdom (Angola), is defeated by the forces of Portuguese Angola, which seeks to halt the Ndongo conquest of the Kasanje people. Portugal deploys 40,000 troops, its largest force ever assembled in Africa, and kills Francisco, but suffers heavy losses.
The first Catholic mass is held in Togo, conducted by missionaries from the German Society of the Divine Word.
An international scandal focuses world attention on Egypt over a matter that the British government is using to illustrate why Egyptians are not ready for self-rule. The trial begins for three wealthy men of Cairo's elite who are charged with the enslavement of six Sudanese girls. They claim as their defense that they are “civilising” the girls by teaching them domestic work and Islam. The slavers are convicted when one of the girls, Zanouba, testifies that she is a Sudanese Muslim, and by Islamic beliefs should not be enslaved. (pic: enslaved Sudanese women in Cairo)
With World War II looming, South African Prime Minister J.B.M. Hertzog (pic), a Nazi sympathiser, attempts to keep the country neutral in the upcoming conflict. However, parliament votes against neutrality. Hertzog resigns, and is replacemed as head of government by General Jan Smuts.
The French colony of Upper Volta, originally established in 1919 but dissolved in 1932, is re-established, this time permanently. The country will achieve independence in 1958, and be renamed Burkina Faso.
Nigerian troops take the city of Aba, Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War. Crimes against humanity are being committed by the federal forces during the bloody and traumatic conflict.
Egypt signs the Sinai Interim Agreement in Geneva. Brokered by the U.S., the pact requires Egypt and Israel to settle differences through diplomacy, and not militarily. (pic: UN peacekeeper in the Sinai)
South African police react to the use of funerals in black townships as means to hold political gatherings, and break up funeral services in Soweto with armoured vehicles and tear gas dropped from helicopters.
King Mswati III of Swaziland (Eswatini) chooses his 14th wife among the teenage maidens gathered for Umhlanga, a traditional event featuring dancing and the delivery of reeds in symbolic tribute to the kingdom's Queen Mother. Because he has banned sex with teenage girls as a way to reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies, he imposes on himself fine of one cow.
Ghanaian architect, in Larteh, Gold Coast. The first trained and certified architect in what would become Ghana, he also pioneered the science of urban planning. By the early 1960s, he had won international awards in both fields when he was chosen to design and plan Tema, Ghana’s port city, with an emphasis on creating an ideal community for working people.
Nigerian businessman and politician, in Atta, Imo State, British Nigeria. As his business grew into a conglomerate of 20 companies, he became one of Nigeria’s wealthiest individuals. His involvement in politics included several runs for Nigeria’s presidency.
Malawian writer, poet, editor and teacher, in Zomba, Nyasaland. A professor of literature, he was considered one of Malawi’s greatest writers, particularly his critically-acclaimed poetry.
