People, Locations, Episodes

Uganda Achieves Independence From Britain

On this date in 1962, Uganda achieved its independence from Great Britain. After much experimenting, a federal constitution was promulgated in April.

The Organization of African Unity (OAU) is Formed

*The Organization of African Unity (OAU) was established on this date in 1963. Formed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with 32 signatory governments, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana was one of the key figures in the establishment of the OAU.   Some of the key aims of the OAU were to encourage political and economic integration among member states and to […]

The Rivonia Trial (South Africa) Begins

*On this date in 1963, the Rivonia Trial in South Africa began. The Rivonia Trial led to the imprisonment of the accused, who were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life at the Palace of Justice, Pretoria. Charges were:  · Recruiting persons for training in the preparation and use of explosives and guerrilla warfare for […]

Zanzibar Gains Independence From Britain

On this date in 1963, Zanzibar gained its independence from Britain.

The history of Zanzibar is out of proportion with its size. Simply to mention the name Zanzibar is to conjure up an air of mystery. Sultans, ivory, slaves, spices, navigators, and explorers–words that start to tell the story of Zanzibar.

The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party is Formed

*On this date in 1964, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) was formed.  Also referred to as the Freedom Democratic Party, it was an American political party created as a branch of the populist Freedom Democratic organization in Mississippi during the 20th-century American Civil Rights Movement. Blacks and whites organized it from Mississippi to challenge the established power of the Mississippi Democratic Party, which at the time allowed participation only […]

Malawi Gains Independence From Britain

*On this date in 1964, Malawi gained independence from Britain.   This occurred almost 80 years after the European invasion and the Berlin Conference. In 1961, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) gained a majority in the Legislative Council elections, and Banda became Prime Minister in 1963. The Federation was dissolved in 1963, and the following […]

Gambia Gains Its Independence From the UK

*On this date in 1964, the Gambia Independence Act 1964 was issued. This was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that granted independence to The Gambia, effective February 18, 1965.   This episode happened 80 years after the Berlin Conference convened. It marked the high point of white European competition for African […]

Elaine Weddington Steward, Sports Lawyer born

*The birth of Elaine Weddington Steward is celebrated on this date in 1964. She is a Black Lawyer and administrator. Born in New York City, Steward was hired by the New York Mets. She won the Jackie Robinson Foundation program scholarship in sports management to attend St. John’s University and graduated with honors, earning a […]

Kamala Harris, Politician born

*Kamala Harris was born on this date in 1964. She is a Black politician and community advocate. From Oakland, California, Harris is the daughter of a Tamil Indian mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a breast cancer researcher who emigrated from Chennai, India, in 1960, and a Jamaican American father, Donald Harris, a Stanford University economics […]

Kenya Achieves Independence From Britain

On this date Jomo Kenyatta was elected the first minister of the newly independent Kenya.

As an independent country, Kenya was initially a constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch as its nominal head of state and a prime minister as head of the government. Although the British hoped to hand over power to moderates, when Kenya became independent, it was the Kenya African National Union (KANU) of Jomo Kenyatta that formed a government shortly before Kenya became independent in December 1963.

LeRoy W. Homer, Pilot, and 9/11 Hero born

*LeRoy Homer, Jr. was born on this date in 1965. He was an African American pilot.

Guyana Gains Independence From Britain

*On this date in 1966, Guyana gained independence from Britain. Located in Northeastern South America, Guyana’s recorded history began in 1499, when Alonso de Ojeda’s first expedition arrived from Spain at the Essequibo River, having traveled through the Middle Passage. The Guyana story has been shaped by the diverse national and ethnic groups, as well […]

Barbados Gains Independence From Britain

On this date in 1966, Barbados gained independence from Britain. The country has been a member of the Unit (OAS) ever since.

In 1973, Barbados helped form the Caribbean Community, an organization that promotes social and political cooperation and economic integration. Barbados has enjoyed a stable democratic government and a smooth transfer of power between the two major political parties.

The Republic of Biafra is Founded

*Biafra was founded on this date in 1967. Officially, the Republic of Biafra was a partially recognized state in West Africa that declared independence from Nigeria and existed from 1967 until 1970. Early modern maps of Africa from the 15th to the 19th centuries, drawn from accounts written by explorers and slave traders, show references. According […]

The First Black Judge On The United States Supreme Court is Appointed

On this date in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was sworn in and became the first African American judge on the U.S. Supreme Court.

It was a signal moment in U. S. history when African Americans everywhere realized that one of their own was seated on the highest court in the land. Thurgood Marshall, who had been in the forefront of legal battles on behalf of civil rights and the destruction of segregation, was now going to have a direct role in influencing and interpreting the country’s laws.