“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” – Carter G. Woodson
Today In History
1. Wole Soyinka, Enahoro, Olu Falae, Akinrinade Were Charged With Treason
On this day in 1997, following series of mysterious bombing campaign that was aimed at military buses, airports and army installations, the Nigerian Government arrested Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Anthony nahoro, Chief Olu Falae, General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade and charged them with treason.
2. Ex-Bayelsa Governor, Alamieyeseigha Was Granted Presidential Pardon
On this day in 2013, former Bayelsa State Governor and President Good luck Jonathan’s political benefactor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was granted pardon by Jonathan’s led administration despite being convicted of stealing millions of dollars while serving as Bayelsa state governor (1999-2005).
3. South African Pilot, Samuel Kinkead Attempted A World Air Speed Record And Died
On this day in 1928, South African pilot, Samuel Kinkead in an attempt to become the first man to travel at more than five miles a minute died in a plane crash.
He was a South African fighter ace with 33 victories during the First World War, who also served in southern Russia and the Middle East postwar.
4. Cameroon President Ahmadou Ahidjo Issued A Decree Banning Criticism Of Government
On this day in 1962, Former Cameroon President Ahmadou Ahidjo issued a decree that prevented criticism against his regime, giving the government the authority to imprison anyone found guilty of subversion against government laws.
5. Mauritius Gained Independence From Britain
On this day in 1968, at a ceremony at the Champ de Mars Racecourse, Mauritius was officially declared free from British rule.
6. The Bophuthatswana Crisis Ended
On this day in 1994, Lucas Mangope, President of Bophuthatswana, was deposed by the South African government and the Transitional Executive Council. South African Ambassador to Bophuthatswana, Prof. Tjaart van der Walt, was then appointed as the territory’s new administrator.
Bophuthatswana also known as “Homeland”, was an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity that was declared (nominally) independent by the apartheid regime of South Africa in 1977.
7. Construction Began On The Grand Egyptian Museum
On this day in 2012, the construction of The Egyptian Museum was kicked off in Giza, Great Cairo in Egypt.
8. East Harlem Gas Explosion
On this day in 2014, an explosion occurred in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The explosion leveled two apartment buildings, killed eight people, injured 70 others, and displaced 100 families.
9. US-Bangla Airlines Flight Crash
On this day in 2018, US-Bangla Airlines Flight 211, a passenger flight en route from Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal crashed and burst into flames while landing killing 51 out of 71 people on board and leaving the remaining survivors severely injured. It remains the deadliest aviation disaster involving a Bangladeshi airline, and the deadliest incident involving the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400.
