CalEvents:May/May 16
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for May 16
Date
Event
Significance
May 16, 1881
Birth of Dr. S.O. Awokoya, Nigerian chemist and educator
On this day, Dr. S.O. Awokoya, a prominent Nigerian chemist and educator, was born. Awokoya became known for his contributions to science education in Nigeria and played a significant role in the development of Nigeria's educational system post-independence.
May 16, 1903
Birth of Fannie Lou Hamer, African-American civil rights leader
On this day, Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent African-American civil rights leader, was born in Mississippi. Hamer became a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for voting rights and co-founding the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party to challenge the exclusion of Black Americans from politics.
May 16, 1957
Kwame Nkrumah announces plans for the Volta River Project
On this day, Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of independent Ghana, announced plans for the Volta River Project, which would build a hydroelectric dam to provide power for Ghana’s industrialization efforts. This project was a significant part of Nkrumah’s vision for transforming Ghana into a modern industrial nation.
May 16, 1977
Africa Day celebrations held in multiple countries
On this day, Africa Day was celebrated in several African nations, commemorating the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963. Africa Day highlights the unity and progress of the African continent and encourages solidarity among African nations.
May 16, 1990
Sam Nujoma becomes first president of Namibia
On this day, Sam Nujoma was inaugurated as the first president of Namibia following the country’s independence from South Africa. Nujoma’s leadership was crucial in the fight for Namibia’s liberation, and his presidency marked the beginning of Namibia’s journey as an independent nation.
May 16, 1997
Laurent-Désiré Kabila declares himself president of Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo)
On this day, Laurent-Désiré Kabila declared himself president of Zaire after overthrowing the long-time dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Kabila’s victory marked the end of Mobutu’s 32-year rule and the beginning of a new era for the country, which was renamed the Democratic Republic of Congo.
May 16, 2003
Walter Sisulu, South African anti-apartheid activist, dies
On this day, Walter Sisulu, a key leader in the African National Congress (ANC) and one of the architects of the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, passed away. Sisulu was a mentor to Nelson Mandela and played a central role in organizing resistance to apartheid.
May 16, 2016
Protests erupt in Kenya over electoral reforms
On this day, protests erupted in Kenya as citizens demanded electoral reforms ahead of the 2017 elections. The protests were driven by concerns over election rigging and corruption, and they highlighted broader issues of governance and democratic integrity in Kenya.