The first known European to reach the East African coast, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, lands at Kilmane (Tanzania). He stays for more than a month (32 days).

Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria, Transvaal Republic, South Africa, is established by President Paul Kruger, as a way to protect wild animals from hunters. This is Africa’s first game sanctuary.

Cape Town’s first automobile arrives by ship from Britain.  Its owner, Mr. Koenig, impresses Cape Townians with his 15 h.p. 1896 Daimler Phaeton that can achieve a top speed of 24 km per hour.

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The Banque d’État du Maroc (State Bank of Morocco) begins operations in Tangier, with a Swiss Inspector General supervising operations.

As Italian forces are driven out of East Africa during World War II, the motorised 23rd Nigerian Brigade (11th African Division) advances 378 km up the coast of Italian Somalia and in three days will occupy the capital Mogadishu, facing no opposition.

Côte d’Ivoire becomes the first African country to introduce colour television. State-owned public broadcaster Radio diffusion Television Ivoirienne (RTI) only launched TV in the country four years ago.

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The War in Darfur begins when two rebel groups launch an insurrection against the Government of Sudan, which they blame for the suppression of non-Arab people in the Darfur region. After 11 years of warfare, the conflict will end with hundreds of thousands of civilians dead and Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and war crimes.

Ugandan adults are the world’s most active, according to a global medical survey. Ugandans physical fitness is achieved through work, walking and general lifestyle, finds a Lancet survey. Africans are the world’s most active people, which brings health benefits.

The U.N.'s International Court of Justice orders the U.K. to turn over Chagos Island to Mauritius "as rapidly as possible.” The island is part of the Mauritian archipelago. Mauritius argues that Britain blackmailed the country in 1965 by threatening to withhold independence unless the U.K. retains possession of Chagos. Britain seeks control of an important location for military purposes, where the U.S. naval base Diego Garcia is located. The judgment affirms a basic U.N. principal that the right of all people to self-determination is a basic human right.