“The past is malleable and flexible, changing as our recollection interprets and re-explains what has happened.” – Peter L. Berger
“If history and science have taught us anything, it is that passion and desire are not the same as truth.” — E. O. Wilson
Today In History
1. Colonel Lawan Gwadabe Was Arrested On A Charge Of Plotting Against Abacha’s Regime
On this day in 1995, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, a military officer serving as commander of 23 Armored Brigade in Yola was arrested on a charge of plotting a coup against General Sanni Abacha’s government.
Gwadabe was jailed, tortured and later convicted of treason along with others, which made his name to be on death row.
However, following Abacha’s unexpected death in June 1998, he was granted state pardon.
2. The Port Of Lobito Opened In Portuguese Angola
On this day in 1903, the port of Lobito, an Angolan port located in the city of Lobito, in the province of Benguela was opened.
3. Ruanda-Urundi Was Joined With Belgian Congo As An Administrative Unit
On this day in 1926, following the merging of Ruanda and Urundi under Germany’s rule in 1922, Ruanda-Urundi was merged with Belgian Congo as an administrative unit under the Belgian government.
4. French Aviator Maurice Rossi Set An Air Distance Record
On this day in 1931, French Aviator Maurice Rossi set an air distance record after covering a distance of 8,822 km by flying in a circle over Algeria for 75 hours and 23 minutes.
5. Anti-colonial Riot Ended In Gold Coast (Ghana)
On this day in 1948, the anti-colonial riot in Gold Coast (Ghana), which began on February 28 ended when British authorities imposed the Riot Act.
The Big Six leaders of the pro-Independence party the United Gold Coast Convention, including Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah were arrested by the British authorities and seen as martyrs by the people.
6. Commonwealth Immigration Act Of 1968 Was Passed By The United Kingdom Parliament
On this day in 1968, The U.K passed the Commonwealth Immigration Act Of 1968, to reduce the right of citizens from Africa’s Commonwealth countries to migrate to the U.K.
7. Attack On Saudi Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan
On this day in 1973, Black September Organization attacked the Saudi Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, killing three Western hostages.
8. Kunming Attack In China
On this day in 2014, a group of 8 knife-wielding terrorists attacked passengers in the Kunming Railway Station in Kunming, Yunnan, China. The mass stabbing killed 31 people, and wounded 143 others.
Four assailants were immediately gunned down by the police, while one injured perpetrator was captured.
Police announced on 3 March that the six-man, two-woman group had been neutralized after the arrest of three remaining suspects who had earlier escaped.
