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1863

Madagascar King Radama II, his second year on the throne, outrages many in government and the public when he seeks to legalise the French custom of dueling. Already, there is widespread disapproval of his infatuation with all things French. Palace councilors have warned him that the measure will lead to chaos. Within days, he will die in a palace coup d’état.

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1863

1908

Two-seater tram cars are installed on the municipal park of Beira, Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique). European passengers are pushed along tracks by barefooted, costumed Mozambican boys who work for tips.

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1908

1919

The 1919 Paris Peace Conference, which is distributing the spoils of the First World War, awards German East Africa (Tanzania) to Britain, over the objections of Belgium, which wants the territory for itself. No Africans are consulted in the transfer of their lands’ ownership.

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1919

1933

Considered one of the greatest Formula One motor races ever held, the Tripoli Grand Prix is run on a new course through the Libyan desert. The first racers to arrive at the finish line have run out of gas, and must coast in slow motion toward the end. Italian Archille Varzi’s Bugatti’s racer rolls over the finish line one tyre-length ahead of his rival.

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1933

1939

Although only months before World War II begins, the best automakers and racecar drivers in Europe have now made it a habit of convening in Italian Libya for the annual Tripoli Grand Prix, the world’s most exciting car racing event.

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1939

1940

The future of the education system in Portugal’s African colonies is determined by an agreement signing between Portugal and the Vatican. The Missionary Agreement of 1940 treaty calls for Portuguese colonial authorities to teach European and mixed-race children. Catholic missionary schools, while remaining under the control of the colonial state, will teach the children of the indigenous peoples. (pic: Portuguese Angolan Catholic mission school)

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1940

1967

For the first time since its founding in 1921, Egypt’s football club Ismaily wins a title, becoming the champion of the Egyptian Premier League.

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1967

1971

Equatorial Guinea ruler Macías Nguema issues a decree overturning the constitution, and gives himself the powers of the courts, parliament and cabinet. He has already begun executing imagined political rivals.

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1971

1999

The Guinea-Bissau civil war ends when the forces of President João Vieira surrender. Vieira flees to the Portuguese Embassy. He will go into exile in Portugal, but will return to be re-elected president in 2005.

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1999

2012

Nigerian singer and record producer Don Jazzy forms his new record label, Mavin Records.

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2012

2014

The Angola Debt and Stock Exchange is founded, in Luanda. Owned by the Angolan government, the exchange will trade in the national currency, the kwanza. Government is privatising 74 state-owned companies, and they may list on the market to raise capital.

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2014

Births

1928
Andy Chande

Tanzanian businessman and philanthropist, in Mombasa, Kenya. His long career combined the development of his industrial investments with public sector work to improve Tanzania’s education sector.

1940
Marcelino da Mata

Guinean soldier who was the most decorated Portuguese military officer in the history of the Portuguese Army, in Ponte Nova, Portuguese Guinea. His life story captures the complexities of African soldiers who served colonial powers. Extraordinary polyglot skills made him an essential interpreter for the Portuguese before he trained to be a commando specialising in anti-insurgency warfare. He participated in 2,412 operations against insurgencies who were battling Portuguese colonial rule. He was in Portugal recovering from a gunshot wound when independence was achieved by Guinea-Bissau in 1974. His absence from his country saved his life. The new government of Guinea-Bissau executed 7,447 black Guinea-Bissauan soldiers who served Portugal as commandos. Nevertheless, Mata was tortured by left-wing Portuguese forces when they took power in Portugal in 1975. He died of Covid-19 in 2021.

1987
Guru (Maradona Yeboah Adjei)

Ghanaian rapper and fashion designer, in Accra, Ghana. His 2011 breakout hit Lapaz Toyota displayed his signature mix of hip-hop, Afrobeats and dancehall.