CalEvents:Oct/Oct 3
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for October 3
Date
Event
Significance
October 3, 1935
Italy invades Ethiopia
On this day, Italian forces, under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, invaded Ethiopia, sparking the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. This invasion was a major event in African history, as Ethiopia was one of the few African nations that had maintained its independence, and the invasion galvanized global anti-colonial movements.
October 3, 1965
Fidel Castro visits Harlem, New York
On this day, Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited Harlem during his trip to the United States. His visit was a symbolic moment of solidarity with African Americans, particularly highlighting Castro’s support for African liberation movements and civil rights causes.
October 3, 1977
Steve Biko funeral held in South Africa
On this day, the funeral of Steve Biko, a leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, was held in King William’s Town, South Africa. Thousands of mourners attended, and Biko’s death at the hands of apartheid police became a rallying point for anti-apartheid resistance.
October 3, 1990
East and West Germany reunified
On this day, East and West Germany were officially reunified, bringing an end to decades of division during the Cold War. While not directly an African event, German reunification had global implications, including for African nations, many of which had Cold War alignments.
October 3, 2003
Rwanda joins the African Union's peacekeeping mission in Sudan
On this day, Rwanda became one of the first African countries to contribute troops to the African Union’s peacekeeping mission in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region. This marked Rwanda’s significant role in African-led peacekeeping efforts.
October 3, 2010
President Alpha Conde wins Guinea's first democratic election
On this day, Alpha Conde won the presidency in Guinea’s first truly democratic election since gaining independence from France in 1958. His victory was seen as a turning point for democratic governance in a country that had experienced decades of authoritarian rule.