CalEvents:Jan/Jan 15
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for January 15
Date
Event
Significance
January 15, 1929
Birth of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr., born on this day, became one of the most influential figures in the American Civil Rights Movement. His leadership in the fight for racial equality, nonviolence, and social justice remains a cornerstone of African-American history and global human rights movements.
January 15, 1966
Military coup in Nigeria
On this day, Nigeria experienced its first military coup, leading to the assassination of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The coup marked the beginning of decades of political instability and military rule in Nigeria, which would profoundly affect the country’s future.
January 15, 1975
Angola's liberation from Portuguese colonial rule
The Alvor Agreement was signed on this day, marking a major step toward Angola's independence from Portuguese colonial rule. This event paved the way for Angola’s full independence later in 1975, although it also marked the beginning of a long civil war.
January 15, 1991
Nelson Mandela becomes president of the ANC
On this day, Nelson Mandela was elected as the president of the African National Congress (ANC), placing him in a pivotal leadership role in the final stages of the anti-apartheid struggle. His presidency laid the groundwork for his election as South Africa's first Black president in 1994.
January 15, 2001
Assassination of Laurent Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Laurent Kabila, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was assassinated on this day. His death led to a period of political instability, and his son, Joseph Kabila, succeeded him as president. This event had a significant impact on the political landscape in Central Africa.
January 15, 2006
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf sworn in as Liberia's president
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated as the first female head of state in Africa on this day. Her presidency was a milestone for gender equality in African leadership, and her efforts focused on post-conflict recovery and governance reform in Liberia.
January 15, 2014
South Sudan peace talks resume in Ethiopia
On this day, peace talks resumed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to address the ongoing civil war in South Sudan. These negotiations were critical to attempts to end violence in the world’s youngest nation, which had been suffering from internal conflict since its independence in 2011.