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1888

Returning after several years to the Zambezi River waterfall Mosi-oa-Tunya (known to the English as Victoria Falls), Frederick Selous, the dean of Africa’s white hunters who popularised Big Game hunting in Europe and the U.S., is disappointed that his competitors have emptied the area of elephants, and that buffalo and other herds have vanished. Not mentioning his own role in the extermination when he was leading elephant hunting parties for ten years, he predicts the extinction of the white rhino.

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1888

1909

Called “red gold,” palm oil exports from British Nigeria have doubled since 1900, from 12,761,585 gallons worth £681,296 to 22,990,487 gallons worth £1,447,103 (equal to £183,534,483.08 in 2022)

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1909

1915

The No. 26 Squadron RFC is formed for South African pilots fighting with the British during World War I. The squadron will be sent to Kenya to fight against German East Africa.

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1915

1937

In South Africa, tenants are moving into the now-completed Maritime House, “the high-water mark of 1930s Johannesburg office architecture.” The monumental structure with its three-storey entrance arch dominates a half a city block. Its design features Art Deco and Classical styling.

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1937

1949

The Nigeria national football team plays its first international match, against Sierra Leone’s national team, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The Nigerians win 2-0.

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1949

1962

The U.N. General Assembly votes to admit Algeria, which becomes the world body’s 109th member state. (pic: Algerian flag, 4th from right, raised at U.N. headquarters in New York)

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1962

1963

As part of the arrangements to make Kenya an independent nation, negotiations conclude with the Sultan of Zanzibar, who has held legal authority from 1895 over parts of coastal Kenya.

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1963

1967

Uganda’s tallest building to date, the Apolo Hotel opens in Kampala. The building is named (although with one letter “l”) for Prime Minister Apollo Milton Obote, who today dedicates the luxury hotel. When Obote is overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, the name will be changed to Kampala International Hotel. From 1991, it will be the Sheraton Hotel.

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1967

2004

Kenya’s Wangari Maathi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The environmental and political activist is recognised as the founder of the Green Belt Movement that seeks to boost women’s rights, the environment and economic empowerment. She is the first African woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.

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2004

2018

Dr. Denis Mukwege of the Democratic Republic of Congo becomes co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end sexual violence as a weapon of war.

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2018

2019

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his efforts at international peace,” specifically his work to secure a peace deal with Eritrea in 2018 after decades of bitter rivalry and sometimes open conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

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2019

Births

1974
Keven Richardson

South African zoologist, in Johannesburg, South Africa. A popular YouTube personality on the Internet with his short videos focused on South Africa’s cat species, “The Lion Whisperer” works primarily with African lions, black leopards and hyenas.

1992
Kolade Dominate Olowu

Nigerian media personality and entrepreneur, in Ijebu, Ogun State, Nigeria. One of the most influential media celebrities in Nigeria’s southern region, he was named On-Air Personality of the Year at Nigeria’s 2017 MAYA awards. In 2018, he formed the talent management company, 10O8World, to promote new Nigerian talent.