Want to know what happened Today in History Africa: 4 January? These are four 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 to 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 like how some countries commemorate their heroes, about an influential speech and more.
After reading this post you will know tons of facts about Africa in relation to: decolonization in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Angolars and the liberation movement in West Africa.
This post is all about what happened Today in History Africa 4 January.
Today in History Africa: 4 January
Africa Holidays
Martyrs of Independence Day in the Democratic Republic of COngo
Today is Martyrs of Independence Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo; this public holiday is celebrated annually on the 4th of January. This day is dedicated to remembering those who laid down their lives in the fight for emancipation from Belgium’s brutal colonial rule. Congolese people celebrate this holiday commemorating the martyrs and victims of Independence by attending state events, patriotic celebrations and sharing banquets.
The 4 January 1959 is one of the most important dates in the fight for decolonization and liberation of the Congolese people. On that day, in Léopoldville – the capital later renamed Kinshasa – Congolese people staged an uprising against their colonial masters. The uprising served as the catalyst for the liberation movement that eventually gained the country independence from Belgium.
Bonne journée des martyrs de l’independence!
Day of King Amador in São Tomé and Príncipe
Today is the Day of King Amador, a public holiday in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. This holiday commemorates a national hero – The King Amador Viera – and the Maafa Slave Revolt against the Portuguese slave trade.
In 1595, on the territory of modern day São Tomé and Príncipe, Rei Amador (or King Amador) led a slave revolt against the Portuguese slavers to establish the freedom of the Angolars – the original inhabitants of the islands. Following their victory the Angolars ruled the island for a year, under “Rei Amador, liberator of all the black people”, until 4 January 1596 when the Portuguese captured the king and sent him to prison to execute him.
The Angolars may not have ruled their island for long but their struggle and fight for freedom from Portuguese oppression is a testament to the strength of Sao Toméans who continued their fight and eventually gained their independence almost four centuries after the fact.
World Braille Day
Today, 4 January is World Braille Day; it is one of the international days of the United Nations. This day is dedicated to raising awareness to the importance of Braille.
Braille is a form of written language: instead of being a visual font (like this one) it is interpreted by touch. Braille is interpreted by feeling patterns of raised dots representing letters and numbers using finger-s. Today, braille is mostly used by blind and partially sighted people. In the continent of Africa, about 26 million people have a form of visual impairment.
World Braille Day is an important day because persons with disabilities, in this case blind and partially sighted people, deserve the same – or better – access to health care, education and employment as “able-bodied” people. People living with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty, to experience higher rates of violence, neglect and abuse, and are among the most marginalized in any crisis – like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Think of the last time you read easily accessed information, on your electronic device, on street signs or even on food packages- was it translated in Braille? Would a blind or partially sighted person be able to navigate that area with ease?
African Literature/Books
John Williamson Kuyé “Right of the people to self-determination”
On this day, 4 January 1926, John Williamson Kuyé delivered a speech to the Gambian branch of the National Congress of British West Africa expressing his views on the right of the people to self determination. As one of the earliest African nationalists and being greatly influenced by the Garvey movement, Kuyé was a strong believer in the right of the African people to self determination. Kuyé was born in the colony of the Gambia in 1894, schooled there and went on to become the first African senior cashier at Bank of British West Africa.
John Williamson Kuyé who stood for and shared ideals of freedom in his speech, was part of the first few who, daring to challenge Britain, embraced, and later fought for self determination in all Nations of Africa.
Link to the entire speech: https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/1926-john-williamson-kuye-right-people-self-determination/
This post was all about what happened today in history Africa 4 January.
Today in History Africa series:
Previous Day: Today in History Africa: 3 January
Next Day: Today in History Africa: 5 January
Other posts you may like:
How Haiti gained its independence
Best African Books 2023
Pre-colonial Cameroon
[…] Previous Day: Today in History Africa: 4 January […]