The French-controlled islands of Seychelles, where labour is provided by enslaved Mozambicans and Madagascans, enforces the death sentence on Pompée, who murdered his owner Pierre Michel Inard with a machete. Pompée is to die at the designated hour of 3:30 am. However, the island has no executioner. A vote is taken, and the islanders choose to burn him. The execution will enter Seychelles’ folklore.
The time has come during the construction of the Suez Canal to break the dam holding back the Red Sea on the southern end of the canal. Surging northward, the Red Sea flows to meet the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
German naval ships stationed in Lake Tanganykia bombard the port of Mokolobu in the Belgium Congo, forcing the colony out of the neutrality it sought during World War I.
Africa Speaks!, a silent film shot in British East Africa with sound effects and narration added, is released to popular and critical success in the U.S. Clearly faked in many places (a “gorilla” is an actor in a gorilla costume, and a lion attacking a man was filmed in a California zoo) and constantly mocking African peoples, the “documentary” does capture historical scenes for posterity and cannot hide its awe at the grandeur of the African continent.
The African Music Society is founded in Johannesburg, by anthromusicologist Hugh Tracey as President. The society's mandate is to preserve and promote African indigenous and modern music.
The Republic of Congo, sometimes called Congo Brazzaville to avoid confusion with its neighbour to the south, the Democratic Republic of Congo, achieves full national independence from France and is immediately recognised and congratulated by the international community. The capital is Brazzaville. The national population is 1,018,000.
Three years to the day following its independence, a coup d’état in the Republic of Congo overthrows the country’s first President Fulbert Youlou. In control now is a National Movement of the Revolution, which bans all rival political organisations and proceeds to govern with an agenda of “scientific socialism” aligned with Communist states like the People's Republic of China and Cuba.
A military coup d’état in São Tomé and Principle deposes Miguel Trovoada, the country’s prime minister and president since independence 20 years ago. However, he will return to power in six days after he agrees to reform the armed forces.
Lagos, Nigeria is reportedly the world’s third most 'unlivable' city, ranked as 138 out of 140 major cities surveyed by the 2018 Global Livability Index. Released today by The Economist Intelligence Unit and World Bank, the index lists Lagos behind only Damascus, Syria and Dhaka, Bangladesh.
In Rwanda, 46,000 motorbike taxis (taxi motos) begin operating with required GPS-enabled metering boxes to accurately mark fares. It is an indication of how Africa’s informal economy, which employs more people than the formal economy, is turning digital through mobile money payments and other innovations.
Kenyan independence activist, Pan-Africanist and statesman, in Kilimo Mbogo, Kenya Colony. One of the Kenyan nation’s Founding Fathers, he generated pro-Kenyan goodwill and financial aid in the U.S. with his charm and eloquence, impressing U.S. President John Kennedy and others. He formed the Kenya African National Union, negotiated national independence in London, designed Kenya’s flag, advanced pan-Africanism with Ghana’s President Kwame Nkruma, and held several ministerial positions. His assassination in 1969 prompted riots and an international outpouring of grief.
Nigerian musician, composer, political activist and Pan Africanist, in Abeoguta, Nigeria. He was one of the founders of Afrobeat music.
Eritrean footballer, in Asmara, Eritrea. With his half-brother Italo, he led the Ethiopian national team (Ethiopia had colonised Eritrea following World War II) to victory in the 1962 Africa Cup of Nations. He is considered Ethiopia’s best football player in history.
Gambian judge and The Gambia’s Chief Justice (2017 to present), in Bansang, The Gambia. He was The Gambia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice before assignments to prosecute cases at important U.N. tribunals like International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia (2018 to present), in Beshasha, Ethiopia. The first person from the Oromo ethnic group to lead an Ethiopian government, after only months in office he made peace with Eritrea, Ethiopia’s bitter rival for decades. For that effort he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
