“What is history? An echo of the past in the future, a reflex from the future on the past.”— Victor Hugo
Today In History
1. Nigeria’s Military Government Freed 47 Political Prisoners Including General Oladipo Diya.
On this day in 1999, Nigeria’s military government freed 47 Political Prisoners including General Oladipo Diya. Diya and others had been charged sentenced to death for an alleged coup against General Sanni Abacha.
2. South Africa’s Transvaal University College Was Founded
On this day in 1908, Transvaal University College, a multi-campus public research university in South Africa which gave rise to the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria was founded.
3. Central African Republic Dictator Jean-Bédel Bokassa Declares Himself President For Life
On this day in 1972, Central African Republic Dictator Jean-Bédel Bokassa, after promoting himself to General, declared himself president for life and crowned himself Emperor of the Central African Empire.
However, he was overthrown in a military coup d’etat in 1979 after several failed assassination attempt on his life.
4. Brazzaville Arms Dump Blasts
On this day in 2012, series of blasts occurred at an army arms dump in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the Congo, killing 300 people. No fewer than 2,500 people were injured, more than 121,000 people were left homeless and 672 million dollars in damages were done.
5. Zasyadko Mine Disaster
On this day in 2015, a mining accident, causes by a gas explosion at the Zasyadko coal mine in rebel-held Eastern Ukraine claimed 34 lives.
6. Nik Wallenda Walked Over Masaya Volcano In Nicaragua
On this day in 2020, Nik Wallenda, an American acrobat, aerialist who holds 11 Guinness World Records for various acrobatic feats became the first person to walk a tightrope stretched directly over Niagara Falls.
Wallenda walked 1,800 feet (550 m) on a steel cable over Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua to achieve the feat.
