“The past itself, as historical change continues to accelerate, has become the most surreal of subjects—making it possible to see a new beauty in what is vanishing.” — Susan Sontag
Today In History
1. Federal Government Of Nigeria Released Exiled Ex-president Charles Taylor To Liberia
On this day in 2006, Federal Government of Nigeria sent back to Liberia, it’s exiled ex-president Charles Taylor, who was wanted for trial on war crimes by a UN-backed court.
After an official request by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia at the time, Taylor was released to stand trial in the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL).
However, Nigeria agreed only to release Taylor and not to extradite him, as no extradition treaty existed between the two countries.
2.. The Third And Final All-African People’s Conference Opened In Cairo
On this day in 1961, the third and final All-African People’s Conference opened in Cairo, with radical proposals and militant rhetoric that costs the conference support from both the international community and several African governments.
3. U.S. President Bill Clinton Became The First U.S. President To Visit South Africa
On this day in 1998, U.S. President Bill Clinton visited South Africa, addressed the parliament and visited Robben Island prison cell where President Nelson Mandela was held for over two decades. The visit made him the first U.S. president to visit South Africa.
4. Chad Applied For Membership In The Arab League
On this day in 2014, Chad applied for membership in the Arab League with the endorsement of Egypt. Chad has Arabic as one of its two official languages and some 12% of Chadians identifying as Arab and around 900,000 are Arabic-speaking.
However, Chad was granted an observer status in the league and still holds till date.
5. Capitol Hill Massacre
On this day in 2006, 28-year-old Kyle Aaron Huff committed mass murder in the southeast part of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Huff entered a rave after-party and opened fire, killing six and wounding two. He eventually killed himself during a confrontation with police officers.
6. SDF Insurgency In Northern Syria
On this day in 2018, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) initiated an insurgency against the Turkish occupation of the Afrin District. This attack followed the completion of Afin Offensive.