Want to know what happened Today in History Africa: 1 January? These are five historical events that took place today, in the continent of Africa and the African diaspora.
The continent of Africa has an immensely rich history; hidden African history is becoming more accessible as it is finally coming into the light. African history, people, culture and books have influenced and inspired the world for time immemorial; it is now time for Africa to shine!
In this post you will learn about the many things that happened today in history in Africa and in the African diaspora: some countries gained their independence, the first black secretary-general of the United Nations came into office and one of the first black-owned journals was founded.
After reading this post you will know tons of facts about Africa in relation to: the scramble for Africa, the transatlantic slave trade, the liberation movement and events that took place during the year of Africa.
This post is all about what happened Today in History Africa 1 January.
Today in History Africa : 1 January
African Holidays
1. The Independence Day of Sudan
On this day, 1 January 1956, Sudan gained its independence from Egypt and Britain. Today this day is celebrated as a public holiday where Sudanese people may take part in activities such as political speeches, parades, marches, the raising of the flag of Sudan and other cultural activities.
Since its independence, many inhabitants of Sudan have been affected by numerous conflicts, notably the First and Second Sudanese Civil Wars that have had a negative impact on the country of Sudan over years. In 2011, the southern part of Sudan seceded from the north by way of a referendum and became the Republic of South Sudan; transferring the title for the largest African state from Sudan to Algeria.
The people of Sudan are currently facing the effects of political instability – but there is hope to be found: the youth of Sudan have recently been at the forefront of action aimed at changing Sudan for the better in the effort to cease conflict in their nation.
Sudan is a country rich in history, full of natural resources and most importantly – populated by a resilient people. The independence of the Republic of Sudan was one step towards all the greatness that will stem from this fight for liberty.
عيد استقلال السودان سعيد !
2. The Independence day of Haiti
On this day, 1 January 1804, Haiti gained its independence from France. Today marks the 219ᵗʰ year Haitians celebrate their independence and eat the national dish of Haiti: Joumou soup. This day is a public holiday where Haitians take part in cultural activities like parades, fireworks, and song and dance honouring heroes like Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
Spain ruled a large portion of Hispaniola for over a century; the Taíno people, native to the land, were made to work as slaves. Then, in 1697 the island of Hispaniola was divided in two: between Spain and France, which renamed its portion Saint-Domingue. Under French rule Saint-Domingue became the richest colony in the world, establishing the mother country as a powerful nation. France’s wealth came from human exploitation: France abducted, shipped and enslaved over 800,000 children and adults from various regions of Africa to Saint-Domingue to toil – mainly in sugarcane plantations.
The colony of Saint-Domingue was a divided nation: among the European and African populations and most importantly between the European settlers and the enslaved majority. France committed innumerable atrocities against enslaved Africans, French men and women treated them like cargo and owned them as property: providing them with bare necessities, and subjecting them to abuse, rape and torture. But, in the late 18ᵗʰ century, France’s enlightenment ideals became a threat to the French economy and the European settlers of Saint-Domingue as they eventually became a catalyst for the Haitian fight for freedom. The Haitian Revolution began on the 21st of August 1791 and ended 13 years later, it remains the worlds only successful slave revolt in recorded history.
Haiti’s revolution impacted the world in many ways: it is what led Napoleon Bonaparte to sell the state of Louisiana to the USA and the reason the United States did not recognize Haiti until 1861 (for fear the enslaved African-Americans would replicate the actions of the Haitians). Most importantly it was proof that Africans were capable of defeating European forces and setting up functioning governments, and though today the nation still faces many challenges, its story as the first African-led republic in modern history remains an inspiration for all.
Bòn fèt endepandans Ayiti!
3. the Independence day of Cameroon
On this day, 1 January 1960, Cameroon gained its independence from France. Though today is not observed as an official holiday by the state of Cameroon it can – and is – celebrated globally in the appreciation of Cameroon’s contributions to the world like: Makossa and Bikutsi music, the Indomitable Lions and its inspiring history, geography and culture.
During the Scramble for Africa, Germany colonized the region of present-day Cameroon: to keep up with its rivals – and massively profit off the land. Germany’s cruel rule ended three decades later following its defeat in the Kamerun campaign against the Allied powers, who partitioned the colony between France and Britain. In France’s Cameroun and Britain’s Northern and Southern Cameroons the ill-treatment of Cameroonians continued; they slaved in plantations and roads, rails and other infrastructure projects – often having been deported from their native land to the work-fields while under fed, beaten and raped, as diseases like malaria grew rampant. Cameroonians had to endure almost a century of abuse before attaining freedom from European rule, which was achieved through solidarity and perseverance in their fight against oppression.
On 1 October 1961 the Southern Cameroons united with the Republic of Cameroon; the Northern Cameroons had merged into Nigeria a few months earlier. The aftermath of imperialism is callous and complex: after independence much violence persisted in the nation as the Republic kept strong ties with France.
The nation of Cameroon is a testimony to the power of unity: through the brutality of colonisation and the horrors of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade Cameroonians stayed strong and fought for their freedom from European powers. Though Cameroon still has a long way to go, with time and good governance it will become an even greater nation.
Joyeux jour de l’indépendance du Cameroun!
African Achievements
4. The first black Secretary-General of the United Nations: Kofi Annan
On this day, 1 January 1997, Kofi Annan made history by becoming the first black secretary general of the United Nations. Annan was a Ghanaian diplomat born in the British colony of the Gold Coast in 1938. As the first office holder elected from the UN staff he served for 10 years – until the end of his second term – as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations.
While in office Kofi Annan reformed the UN bureaucracy, launched the UN Global Compact and worked to combat HIV/AIDS (especially in Africa). He made a great impact as secretary-general of the UN and was awarded for his good works. In 2001 he was co-recipient with the UN for the Nobel Peace Prize, “for their work for a better organized and more peaceful world”. A year later, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, conferred the title of Busumuru to Annan for his “[selfless] contributions to humanity and promotion of peace throughout the world”.
Kofi Atta Annan continued his good works mainly focused on global and African affairs. In 2018, he passed away and left an important legacy behind, inspiring all desiring a better and fairer world.
African Books
5. The foundation of the Journal of Negro History
On this day, 1 January 1916, The Journal of Negro History was founded by Carter G. Woodson. Often nicknamed The Father of African-American History, he pioneered in the field of black history and African American studies in the United States. Woodson was a professor and historian at Howard University and among the first black scholars to receive a doctoral degree.
The journal was the first of its kind; it enabled black scholars to publish their work on African American life and history and made way for the first black female historians (thanks to him, three times more women contributed to the articles published in the Journal of Negro History than the average number in the other notable journals of the time).
The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History – now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History – co-founded by Woodson published the Journal of Negro History and created the African American History week that later evolved into Black History Month.
The Journal of African American history, as it is now titled, is published by the University of Chicago Press on behalf of ASALH and produces over sixty reviews of recently published books a year.
Today in History Africa : 1 January
This post was all about what happened today in history Africa 1 January. Those were 5 historical facts about Africa that happened today.
HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
May your year be filled with Peace, Love and Joy!
Today in History Africa series:
Previous Day: Today in History Africa: 31 December
Next Day: Today in History Africa: 2 January
Other posts you may like:
How Haiti gained its independence
Best African Books 2023
Pre-colonial Cameroon
[…] <– Previous Day: Today in History Africa: 1 January […]