CalEvents:Feb/Feb 23
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for February 23
Date
Event
Significance
February 23, 1868
W.E.B. Du Bois born
On this day, W.E.B. Du Bois, a leading African-American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, was born. Du Bois was one of the founders of the NAACP and a prominent advocate for Pan-Africanism, significantly influencing African-American and African political thought.
February 23, 1897
French forces defeat the Kingdom of Benin
On this day, French forces defeated the Kingdom of Benin, leading to the annexation of Benin by the French. This marked a significant moment in the colonization of West Africa and the end of one of the region’s most powerful kingdoms.
February 23, 1942
Tuskegee Airmen activated for World War II
On this day, the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps, were officially activated. Their service during World War II helped to challenge segregation in the U.S. military and contributed to the eventual desegregation of the armed forces.
February 23, 1965
Constance Baker Motley elected Manhattan Borough President
On this day, Constance Baker Motley was elected as the first African-American woman to serve as Manhattan Borough President. Her election marked a milestone for African-American women in politics, and she later became the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge in the U.S.
February 23, 1966
Syria and Egypt propose the formation of a Pan-Arab Union
On this day, Syria and Egypt announced plans to form a Pan-Arab Union. Although the union never materialized, the proposal reflected broader efforts to unite Arab and African nations in resistance to colonialism and imperialism during the post-independence era.
February 23, 1999
Execution of Amadou Diallo’s killers sparks protests
On this day, four New York police officers who were acquitted after killing Amadou Diallo, an unarmed African immigrant, sparked protests across the U.S. Diallo’s death became a rallying point in the fight against police brutality and racial profiling.
February 23, 2011
Protests erupt in Libya during the Arab Spring
On this day, protests escalated in Libya as part of the Arab Spring movement, leading to the eventual overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi. The protests and civil war that followed had significant repercussions for North Africa and the African diaspora.