CalEvents:Mar/Mar 31
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for March 31
Date
Event
Significance
March 31, 1870
15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution ratified
On this day, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting African-American men the right to vote. This was a significant victory in the struggle for civil rights following the Civil War, although many African Americans in the South were later disenfranchised by Jim Crow laws.
March 31, 1966
Kwame Nkrumah arrives in Guinea after being overthrown in Ghana
On this day, Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana and a major Pan-Africanist leader, arrived in Guinea after being deposed in a coup. He was welcomed by President Sékou Touré and became co-president of Guinea, continuing his Pan-African advocacy from exile.
March 31, 1979
Zimbabwe-Rhodesia’s first Black government formed
On this day, the first Black-majority government was formed in Zimbabwe-Rhodesia under Prime Minister Abel Muzorewa. However, this government was not internationally recognized, and full independence under Robert Mugabe would not come until 1980.
March 31, 1987
Jesse Jackson announces second U.S. presidential campaign
On this day, African-American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson announced his second bid for the U.S. presidency. Jackson's campaigns in 1984 and 1988 were groundbreaking for African-American political empowerment and brought attention to issues affecting Black communities in the U.S.
March 31, 1991
Rodney King beating case sparks outrage in the United States
On this day, four Los Angeles police officers were indicted for the beating of Rodney King, an African-American man, which had been caught on camera. The incident sparked outrage and brought attention to police brutality and racial injustice in the United States, leading to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
March 31, 1999
Nigerian presidential election brings Olusegun Obasanjo to power
On this day, former military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo won Nigeria’s first civilian presidential election since the end of military rule. This marked a turning point in Nigeria’s political history and the restoration of civilian governance after decades of military dictatorship.
March 31, 2005
Protests in Zimbabwe over land reforms and political repression
On this day, protests erupted in Zimbabwe against President Robert Mugabe’s land reform policies and political repression. The protests highlighted the challenges faced by Zimbabwe’s government in addressing economic inequality and political freedom.