“History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man.” – Percy Bysshe Shelley
Today In History
1. Niger Delta Villagers’ Protest Shut Down 10% Of Nigeria’s Oil Production
On this day in 1997, Niger Delta villagers in protest over local government elections, occupied a 7th oil installation on the Niger Delta, shutting down 10% of Nigeria’s oil production.
2. British Bank Of West Africa Was Founded In England
On this day in 1947, the British Bank of West Africa credited with bringing modern banking to West Africa was founded in England. The first branches were set up in Nigeria, followed by Sierra Leone, Gold Coast (Ghana) and Gambia.
3. A Separate Parliament Was Introduced In South Africa For Mixed-race (“Coloured”) South Africans
On this day in 1968, a separate parliament was introduced in South Africa for mixed-race (“Coloured”) South Africans, elected by mixed-race voters and empowered to make laws affecting the Coloured community.
4. Morocco Hosted The African Cup Of Nations
On this day in 1988, Morocco hosted the 16th edition of the African Cup of Nations. This will be the country’s first time and did so due to financial constraints of the initial host country, Zambia. Cameroon went on to win the title.
5. Biniam Girmay Became The First Eritrean And African To Win A Cycling World Tour race.
On this day in 2022, Biniam Girmay was the first to cross the finish line at the prestigious one-day Gent Wevelgem in Brussels, Belgium winning the race. He became the first Eritrean and African to do so.
6. Makka al-Mukarama Hotel Attack
On this day in 2015, Al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on the Makka al-Mukarama hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, killing at least 20 people.
7. Viagra Was Approved For Treatment Of Erectile Dysfunction
On this day in 1998, The Food and Drug Administration approved Viagra for use as a treatment for erectile dysfunction. It was the first pill to be approved for the condition in the United States.
8. Passover Massacre
On this day in 2002, a suicide bombing was carried out by Hamas at the Park Hotel in Netanya, Israel during a Passover seder. The attack killed 30 civilians and injured 140 others. It was the deadliest attack against Israeli civilians during the Second Intifada.
9. Nanterre Massacre
On this day in 2002, in Nanterre, France, a gunman Richard Durn committed mass murder by opening fire at the end of a town council meeting, killing 8 councillors and injuring 19 others. Durn committed suicide the next day, by leaping from a police station window during interrogation.
10. Situ Gintung Broke
On this day in 2009, Situ Gintung, an artificial lake in Indonesia failed and drained the lake, killing no fewer than 99 people.
11. Lahore Suicide Bombing
On this day in 2016, a suicide bombing targeted at Christians celebrating Easter occurred at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, one of the largest parks in Lahore, Pakistan. The attack killed at least 75 people, 29 of which were children and injured over 340 people.
12. Nashville School Shooting
On this day in 2023, 28-year-old Aiden Hale (born Audrey Elizabeth Hale), a transgender man shot and killed three nine‑year‑old children and three adults at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian Church in America parochial elementary school in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee. Hale, a former student of the school was eventually shot and killed by two Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers. It is regarded as the deadliest mass shooting in Tennessee history.