Word of the Day: “No shortcuts exist to the top of a palm tree.” – African Proverb.
Today in history in 1808, “Law signed by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson, The Act Prohibiting the Importation of Slaves, goes into effect. Some smuggling of enslaved Africans continues until the U.S. Civil War is fought to end slavery.” Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/31-dec
News highlights from Africa and beyond (January 1, 2024).
Word of the Day: “No one can pass twice between the thighs of an elephant.” – Kenyan Proverb.
Today in history in 1977, “Kenyan writer and intellectual Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is arrested on orders of Vice President Daniel Arap Moi, and imprisoned for one year for his political play I Will Marry When I Want.” Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/31-dec
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 31, 2023).
Word of the Day: “A coward has no scar.” – Zimbabwean Proverb.
Today in history in BC 2500, “the stone carvers and builders of Egypt are finishing the Great Sphinx at Giza, chiseling the head of the Egyptian King Khafre atop the body of a reclining lion. The monumental statue is not intended as a work of art, but has the practical function of guarding the roadway to Khafre’s pyramid tomb.”
Also, in 1987, “Robert Mugabe is elected President of Zimbabwe for the first time, as his position as head of government changes to President. Mugabe has been running Zimbabwe as Prime Minister since 1980.” Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/30-dec
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 30, 2023).
Word of the Day: “Fine words do not produce food.” – Nigerian Proverb.
Today in history in 1851, “Akitoye is installed for a second time as the Oba of Lagos. The British have helped by forcing out Oba Kosoko after what the Yoruba people have called Ogun Ahoyaya (“The Battle of the Boiling Canons”). Kosoko is Akitoye’s nephew who ousted Akitoye in a 1845 coup d’état. In three days, on 1 January 1852, Akitoye will sign a treaty between Lagos and Great Britain that outlaws human sacrifice and the slave trade in what will become Nigeria.” Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/29-dec
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 29, 2023).
Word of the Day: “Don’t waste time putting forward arguments in good faith in the face of people of bad faith.” – King Hassan II of Morocco.
Today in history in 2020, “Morocco’s Palais Ronsard, the stylish restaurant in Marrakech, wins the Prix Versailles award from U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Union of Architects award for “World’s Most Beautiful Restaurant.” Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/28-dec
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 28, 2023).
Word of the Day: “If you fill your mouth with a razor, you will spit blood.” – Nigerian Proverb.
Today in history in 1940, Molara Ogundipe, a Nigerian poet, writer and pioneering African feminist was born in Lagos, Nigeria. From the early 1960s, she was one of the leading writers exploring African feminism, as a critic focusing on gender studies and literary theory. She would become an important authority on the topic of African women in general and the global feminism movement. Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/27-dec#google_vignette
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 27, 2023).
Word of the Day: “The day on which one starts out is not the time to start one’s preparations.” – Nigerian Proverb.
Today in history in 1970, Chioma Ajunwa, the first Nigerian to win an Olympics gold medal, in Imo, Nigeria was born. She was the first black African woman to win an Olympics gold medal in a field event, at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 25, 2023).
Word of the Day: “Whoever is patient with a cowrie shell will one day have thousands of them.” – Nigerian Proverb.
Today in history in 1969, the Nigerian Civil War draws to a close with Nigerian federal forces’ final military push against the breakaway Republic of Biafra, with an offensive led by future Nigerian president Col. Olusegun Obasanjo.
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 23, 2023).
Word of the Day: “Vodun towe lo; Ayi towe m’ w’ de. Translation: Your vodun is in your heart.” – Benin Proverb
Today in history, the Marché Dantokpa, one of West Africa’s largest open-air markets opened in Benin Capital, Cotonou, and eventually expanding to 80,000 square meters.
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 17, 2023).
Word of the Day: “If you are building a house and a nail breaks, do you stop building, or do you change the nail?” – Rwandan Proverb
Today in history in 2017, Shisa, a popular and highly addictive tobacco pipe is banned in Rwanda, following the World Health Organisation’s finding that smoking a shisa for one hour equals smoking 100 cigarettes.
News highlights from Africa and beyond (December 15, 2023).
Word of the Day: “The one who fetches the water is the one who is likely to break the pot.” – Ugandan Proverb
Today in history in 1961, the Transition magazine in Kampala, Uganda, was first published by Rajat Neogy. Launched with the manifesto to provide ‘an intelligent and creative backdrop to the East African scene,’ the magazine quickly became a cornerstone of African literary and cultural discourse. However, Neogy’s bold criticism in a 1968 article against President Milton Obote’s plans to amend the Ugandan constitution led to his imprisonment. By then a significant pan-African publication, Transition relocated to Ghana in 1971. Despite closing in 1976 due to financial constraints, the magazine was revived in 1991 by American historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., reimagined as an international publication focusing on race and culture, particularly within the African diaspora.
Word of the Day: “A closed mouth catches no flies.” – African Proverb
Today in History (December 2, 1929), three women are killed by police during the Women’s War involving thousands of women from the Bende District in Nigeria, staging a march to protest corrupt chiefs who are about to approve direct taxation on women. These women, the “Oloko Trio”: Ikonnia, Nwannedia and Nwugo, were admired for their intellect and they also contributed to preventing violence. In encouraging peace, another leader, Madame Nwanyereuwa, led with protest songs, dances and sit-down occupations. Source: https://www.africatodayyesterday.org/days/02-dec
Word of the Day: “Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” – African Proverb
Today in history (December 1, 1963), Ghana triumphs in the African Cup of Nations, marking a significant moment in African football. Hosting the tournament, Ghana won 3-0 against Sudan in the final. This victory symbolized hope and unity for Africa during a time of major political change, inspiring the continent with the spirit of teamwork and determination.
Word of the Day: “I think, therefore I am.” – René Descartes
Today in history, we reflect on Ghana’s poignant “Year of the Return” in 2019, marking the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved West Africans to America in 1619. On this significant date, Ghana embraced the roots of our shared history by granting citizenship to 125 African Americans, symbolizing a powerful homecoming and a bridge of unity across the diaspora. This gesture of solidarity and recognition resonates as a beacon of healing and reconnection with the roots.
Word of the Day: “He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” – Chinese Proverb
Today in history, we honor the resilience and courage of the 35 surviving Africans aboard the slave ship La Amistad, who, after a harrowing ordeal and a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case in 1841, were finally declared free. On this day, they triumphantly set sail back to their homeland, marking a significant moment in the journey towards justice and the abolition of slavery.
Word of the Day: “Hope is the physician of each mystery.” – Irish Proverb
Today (November 24) in history, we turn our gaze to the significant events of the Ethiopian monarchy in the 19th century. Sahle Selassie, a prominent ruler in the history of Ethiopia, made a critical decision amid religious disputes that divided the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He dismissed his appointees to the local monasteries of Shewa, demonstrating a commitment to ecclesiastical autonomy and navigating a complex array of political and religious challenges during his reign. Selassie’s reign was marked by efforts to strengthen his domain and maintain regional stability despite the turmoil of the era.
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