CalEvents:May/May 4
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for May 4
Date
Event
Significance
May 4, 1891
Birth of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
On this day, Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican bishop and anti-apartheid activist, was born. Tutu became a key figure in the struggle against apartheid and later chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, promoting national healing in post-apartheid South Africa.
May 4, 1961
Freedom Riders begin their journey
On this day, a group of civil rights activists known as the "Freedom Riders" began their journey from Washington, D.C., to challenge racial segregation in the southern United States. The riders, both African-American and white, faced violent resistance, but their actions played a significant role in ending segregation in interstate travel.
May 4, 1978
Steve Biko's inquest into death begins in South Africa
On this day, the official inquest into the death of Steve Biko, a South African anti-apartheid activist, began. Biko had died in police custody in 1977, and the inquest brought international attention to the brutality of apartheid, though it failed to hold any officials accountable at the time.
May 4, 1994
Rwandan Genocide continues
On this day, the Rwandan Genocide continued as Hutu extremists carried out mass killings of Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The international community was criticized for its lack of intervention as the genocide led to the deaths of approximately 800,000 people.
May 4, 2009
South African Parliament elects Jacob Zuma as president
On this day, the South African Parliament officially elected Jacob Zuma as the president of South Africa. Zuma’s presidency was marked by economic challenges and allegations of corruption, but it was also a continuation of the African National Congress's dominance in South African politics.
May 4, 2010
Nigeria's Vice President Goodluck Jonathan sworn in as president
On this day, Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Nigeria’s president following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua. Jonathan's presidency was significant as he became the first president from the Niger Delta region, and his leadership was marked by efforts to stabilize the country’s democracy and economy.
May 4, 2015
Protests continue in Baltimore after Freddie Gray’s death
On this day, protests in Baltimore persisted following the death of Freddie Gray, an African-American man who died in police custody. The protests were part of the larger Black Lives Matter movement, addressing issues of police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.