CalEvents:Feb/Feb 9
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for February 9
Date
Event
Significance
February 9, 1944
Birth of Alice Walker, African-American author and activist
Alice Walker, born on this day, became a renowned African-American author and activist. She is best known for her novel *The Color Purple*, which won the Pulitzer Prize and highlighted the struggles of African-American women, and her work in the civil rights and feminist movements.
February 9, 1951
Birth of Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
Paul Kagame, born on this day, became a key figure in Rwanda’s history, leading the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and ending the 1994 genocide. He later became Rwanda’s president and played a significant role in the country's post-genocide recovery and development.
February 9, 1965
Martin Luther King Jr. meets with Malcolm X
On this day, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X met briefly in Washington, D.C., during a press conference. This meeting symbolized the convergence of different approaches to the African-American struggle for civil rights and the broader fight for racial equality in the U.S.
February 9, 1966
Kwame Nkrumah ousted in Ghana
On this day, Ghana's first president and Pan-Africanist leader Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown in a military coup while on a state visit to China. Nkrumah’s ousting marked a turning point in Ghana’s political history and had significant implications for Pan-Africanism across the continent.
February 9, 1995
Nelson Mandela visits the U.S. as President of South Africa
On this day, Nelson Mandela made his first official visit to the United States as President of South Africa. His visit underscored the global significance of South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy and Mandela’s role as a symbol of peace and reconciliation.
February 9, 2001
Death of Herbert “Bert” Cain, African-American labor leader
Herbert Cain, a prominent African-American labor leader and civil rights activist, passed away on this day. He was instrumental in organizing unions and fighting for labor rights, particularly for African-American workers in the U.S. during the civil rights era.
February 9, 2014
Protests in Burkina Faso over President Blaise Compaoré’s rule
On this day, protests erupted in Burkina Faso against President Blaise Compaoré's attempts to extend his 27-year rule. These protests were part of a broader movement that eventually led to Compaoré's resignation later in 2014, marking a significant political shift in West Africa.