A North African empire's extension into the Middle East is set back at The Battle of Aleppo in Syria, which has been under Egyptian control. The Timur and his army defeat the forces of Sultan Faraj, Mameluke ruler of Egypt. The attackers reportedly massacre 20,000 people inside the city and build a pyramid of their skulls.
Bechuanaland becomes part of British Cape Colony, whose capital is Cape Town. The lands of the Tswana people have been taken over by the British to prevent them falling under the control of the Boers of South Africa. If Britain does not make this move, the future independent country of Botswana will never exist. The land will be incorporated into South Africa.
The trial of Swazi King Bhunu V by British colonial authorities in the Swazieland (Eswatini) territory ends with Bhunu ruled not guilty of the murder of a senior advisor. The court rules that the advisor’s killing resulted from the collective decision of traditional counselors. Bhunu is fined £500 (equal to US$22,250 in 2022) for “allowing violence in the territory for which he is paramount chief.”
Armistice reached by Germany and the Allied Forces ends World War I. In South Africa, more than 146,000 whites, 83,000 blacks and 2,500 people of mixed race ("Coloured”) and Indian South Africans served in the South African military units, including 3,000 with the Royal Flying Corps. 12,452 South Africans died in battles to capture the two German colonies of German South West Africa and German East Africa, as well as in battles in Western Europe and the Middle East.
A new monument stands this Armistice Day in the centre of Dar es Salaam, British East Africa: the Askari Monument. Commemorating the Askari soldiers who fought for the British during World War I in the Africa King’s Rifles battalions, the bronze statue was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London before installation. On the pedestal is written in Swahili and English: “If you fight for your country even if you die your sons will remember your name.”
New Zealand aviatrix Jean Batten departs Senegal, flying westward. When she arrives in Brazil after two days and 13 hours she becomes the first woman to fly solo across the South Atlantic. She will also break by an entire day the speed record for flying the South Atlantic.
British and American forces during World War II capture Casablanca. They will also achieve a naval victory against the Germany navy in fighting off Morocco’s coast on 16 November 1942.
As the chaos and violence of the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo worsens, Congolese soldiers murder 13 Italian U.N. pilots. (pic: memorial service led by DRC President Joseph Kasavubu, right, on 18 November 1961)
Rhodesia’s white minority government declares itself an independent, sovereign country, rejecting Britain’s terms for independence, which insisted on a country belonging to all its people. White nationalist leader Ian Smith declares, “The mantle of the pioneers has fallen on our shoulders to sustain civilization in a primitive country.”
Angola achieves national independence, from Portugal. The capital is Luanda. The national population is 7,024,000. This day will be celebrated as National Day.
Days after Uganda’s army invades Tanzania and occupies the country’s northwest, Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere formally declares war on Uganda. He warns Uganda’s dictator Idi Amin, “"We have the reason, we have the resources, and we have the will to fight.”
Namibia’s first parliamentary elections conclude. They are held in preparation for national independence in 1990. The liberation party SWAPO wins a majority (57%) of parliament seats.
The Malawi Stock Exchange opens, in Blantyre, Malawi. On this first day of trading, 2,300 Malawians buy shares in the first company to be listed, the National Insurance Company.
Two months after the World Trade Centre attacks in New York, South Africa President Thabo Mbeki, in New York to address the U.N. General Assembly, discusses the U.S.-led War on Terror with U.S. President George Bush.
Democratic Republic of Congo announces its worst-ever outbreak of Ebola. Thus far 198 Congolese have died from the disease.
The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia Headquarters is completed. At 198 metres in height, the imposing skyscraper that now dominates the skyline of Addis Ababa is Ethiopia’s tallest building.
South African magician Wian van den Berg becomes his country’s top TikTok star. Now 11 million followers and 208 million viewers watch his videos that showcase amusing and amazing magic tricks.
Nigerian judge and the first African to be President of the International Court of Justice (1982-1985), in Lagos, Nigeria. At Independence in 1960, he was Nigeria’s first Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He was dismissed when a coup d’état caused a change of government in 1966, but was so indispensable he was asked back. In 1972, he became the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Kenyan singer and composer, in Taiti-Taveta District, Kenya. The first person to record the international song standard from Africa, Malaika, in 1963 with his band Jambo Boys, he sang in both traditional and pop genres. He remained popular and active until his death in 2001.
Mozambican singer who is considered one of the country’s greatest voices of all time, in Chibuto, Gaza Province, Portuguese East Africa. Blending traditional Mozambique rhythms with Portuguese pop music (marrabenta style), he was also popular in Angola. He was the lead vocalist of Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique, which began in 1979.
President of Zambia (2015-2021), in Ndola, Northern Rhodesia. He was an accomplished military officer prior to his presidency. He served one full term as Zambia’s leader before losing his re-election bid.
