CalEvents:Aug/Aug 23
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for Aug 23
Date
Event
Significance
August 23, 1791
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
This day marks the start of the Haitian Revolution in 1791, a major event in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. UNESCO declared August 23 as a day to commemorate the resistance of enslaved Africans and to remember the horrors of the slave trade.
August 23, 1926
Rudolph Fisher publishes "The Walls of Jericho"
On this day, African-American author Rudolph Fisher published his novel "The Walls of Jericho." It was a groundbreaking work in Harlem Renaissance literature, portraying life in Harlem, addressing issues of race, and celebrating African-American culture.
August 23, 1963
James Meredith graduates from the University of Mississippi
James Meredith, who became the first African-American student to attend the University of Mississippi, graduated on this day. His fight for integration in education represented a critical victory for the Civil Rights Movement.
August 23, 1971
Proclamation of the Republic of Congo as a one-party state
On this day, President Marien Ngouabi of the Republic of Congo declared the country a one-party state under the Congolese Workers Party. This marked a significant shift toward Marxist-Leninist governance in post-colonial Congo.
August 23, 1985
Nelson Mandela rejected a conditional offer for release
On this day, Nelson Mandela rejected an offer for conditional release from prison, as it required him to renounce armed struggle. Mandela’s refusal further solidified his position as a key leader of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
August 23, 1994
South Africa re-admitted to the United Nations
On this day, South Africa was re-admitted to the United Nations General Assembly following its first democratic elections, marking the end of international sanctions that had been in place due to apartheid.
August 23, 2005
Katrina victims evacuation begins
On this day, large-scale evacuation efforts began for African-American residents of New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina approached the Gulf Coast. The devastation disproportionately affected African-American communities, bringing national attention to racial and economic inequality in disaster response.