CalEvents:Oct/Oct 15
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for October 15
Date
Event
Significance
October 15, 1966
Formation of the Black Panther Party
On this day, the Black Panther Party was founded in Oakland, California, by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The party advocated for the defense of African Americans against police brutality and aimed to empower Black communities through its social programs, such as free breakfast for children and health clinics.
October 15, 1987
Assassination of Thomas Sankara
On this day, Thomas Sankara, the revolutionary leader of Burkina Faso, was assassinated in a military coup. Sankara, often referred to as “Africa’s Che Guevara,” was a champion of Pan-Africanism, women's rights, and economic self-reliance. His assassination marked a tragic end to his radical reforms and leadership.
October 15, 1991
South African government and ANC begin constitutional talks
On this day, the South African government and the African National Congress (ANC) began formal talks to draft a new democratic constitution for South Africa, signaling the beginning of the end for the apartheid regime. These talks eventually led to the first multiracial elections in 1994.
October 15, 2003
Rwanda becomes the first country with a majority-female parliament
On this day, Rwanda became the first country in the world to have a parliament with a female majority. This event was a landmark in the global movement for gender equality, and it reflected Rwanda’s efforts to empower women in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide.
October 15, 2011
Kenyatta International Conference Centre declared a national monument
On this day, the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, was declared a national monument. The KICC, a symbol of Kenya’s post-independence development, hosts significant international and regional conferences, symbolizing Kenya’s role in African diplomacy and development.
October 15, 2019
Malawi protests over presidential election results
On this day, mass protests erupted in Malawi over alleged irregularities in the presidential election results, with many calling for electoral reform. The protests were part of a broader movement in Africa pushing for greater transparency and democracy in electoral processes.