CalEvents:Aug/Aug 9
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for Aug 9
Date
Event
Significance
August 9, 1956
South African women march to protest pass laws
On this day, over 20,000 South African women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the pass laws, which restricted the movement of Black people under apartheid. This became a pivotal moment in the fight against apartheid, and August 9 is now celebrated as Women's Day in South Africa.
August 9, 1963
Whitney Houston born in Newark, New Jersey
On this day, Whitney Houston, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, was born in Newark, New Jersey. Her powerful voice and global success made her a symbol of African-American musical excellence and cultural influence across the world.
August 9, 1974
Black Panther Party member Assata Shakur escapes prison
On this day, Assata Shakur, a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army, escaped from prison where she was serving a sentence for a 1973 shootout with New Jersey State Troopers. Shakur's escape and later exile to Cuba made her an icon of resistance in the African-American revolutionary movement.
August 9, 1993
F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela meet to discuss South Africa's future
On this day, Nelson Mandela and then-South African President F.W. de Klerk met to discuss the final details of the transition from apartheid to a multiracial democracy. Their collaboration was crucial to the peaceful transition of power in South Africa.
August 9, 2001
Funeral of Aaliyah, African-American R&B singer
On this day, the funeral of Aaliyah, a prominent African-American R&B singer, was held. Aaliyah’s death in a plane crash on August 25, 2001, marked the loss of a rising musical icon who had a significant influence on the R&B and hip-hop genres.
August 9, 2014
Shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri
On this day, Michael Brown, an unarmed African-American teenager, was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown's death sparked nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism, leading to the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
August 9, 2019
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples celebrated with focus on African heritage
On this day, the United Nations celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on the cultural heritage and struggles of indigenous African communities, such as the Maasai, San, and Pygmy peoples, who continue to face challenges related to land rights and cultural preservation.