CalEvents:Jan/Jan 22

Notable events for January 22

Date

Event

Significance

January 22, 1891

Birth of Blaise Diagne, first Black African elected to the French National Assembly

Blaise Diagne, born on this day, became the first Black African elected to the French National Assembly in 1914. He played a significant role in advocating for the rights of African soldiers in World War I and the enfranchisement of colonial subjects.

January 22, 1906

Zulu revolt against British rule begins in South Africa

The Bambatha Rebellion, led by the Zulu leader Bambatha, began in opposition to British colonial rule and taxation policies in South Africa. This uprising was one of the first significant acts of resistance against British domination in Southern Africa.

January 22, 1949

FBI launches COINTELPRO program targeting African-American leaders

On this day, the FBI intensified its COINTELPRO operations, focusing on disrupting African-American civil rights groups and leaders. This covert program targeted figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers, deeply impacting African-American activism.

January 22, 1962

Organization of African Unity (OAU) established in Addis Ababa

The OAU, the precursor to the African Union (AU), was established on this day in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It aimed to promote unity, solidarity, and cooperation among African nations, and played a major role in supporting African liberation movements against colonial rule.

January 22, 1973

Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, impact on African-American women

The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, greatly impacting African-American women’s access to reproductive health care. The case highlighted issues of racial inequality in health care and family planning services in the U.S.

January 22, 2007

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf delivers State of the Union address

On this day, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president of Liberia and Africa’s first female head of state, delivered her State of the Union address, focusing on national reconciliation, economic recovery, and the empowerment of women.

January 22, 2018

South Africa's Parliament debates land reform policies

The South African Parliament began debates on land reform, addressing the legacy of land dispossession under apartheid. These debates sparked national conversations about restitution, inequality, and economic justice for Black South Africans.

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