“That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.” – Aldous Huxley
Today In History
1. Movement For The Emancipation Of The Niger Delta Abducted Workers In Portharcourt
On this day in 2007, movement for the emancipation of the Niger Delta militia men abducted oil engineers, an American and a Briton in the oil center of Port Harcourt.
2. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari Signed The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act
On this day in 2019, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari signed in to law The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and imposes sanctions including fines and prison sentences on those who fail to conform to it.
3. Guinea-Bissau War Of Independence Began
On this day in 1963, the Guinea-Bissau war of independence between the Portuguese and the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde, PAIGC) began. This war lasted till 1973 and led to Guinea Bissau’s and Cape Verde’s independence in 1974 and 1975 respectively. PAIGC became the first sub-Saharan African liberation movement to achieve independence through armed struggle.
4. Libya Fell To The British Army
On this day in 1943, Libya which was under the control of the Germans and Italians fell to the British army under the command of Bernard Montgomery.
5. John Chilembwe Began An Uprising In Malawi
On this day in 1915, John Chilembwe, a Western trained Pastor began an uprising against British rule in Malawi. He is regarded as a forerunner and martyr of Malawi Nationalism.
6. Benghazi Bombing, Libya
On this day in 2018, Bhengazi bombing involving two cars at the Bayaat al-Radwan mosque in Benghazi, Libya happened. Forty-one persons, including an Egyptian National were reportedly killed, while eighty others were injured in the attack.
7. Burkina Faso Coup
On this day in 2022, President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was ousted in a coup d’etat led by Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Kaboré was subsequently detained by military officers. In September 2022, just eight months after the successful coup, Damiba would himself be deposed in a another coup led by Ibrahim Traoré.
8. Madeline Albright Became The First Female United States Secretary Of State
On this day in 1997, Madeline Albright, a diplomat and political analyst became the first woman to become the United States Secretary of State.
