CalEvents:May/May 12

Notable events for May 12

Date

Event

Significance

May 12, 1909

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) holds its first meeting

On this day, the NAACP held its first formal meeting in New York City. The organization, co-founded by W.E.B. Du Bois, was established to fight for civil rights, combat racial discrimination, and promote equality for African Americans.

May 12, 1941

Konstantin Chernenko born, Soviet leader who supported African liberation movements

On this day, Konstantin Chernenko, who would later become the leader of the Soviet Union, was born. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union under Chernenko provided support for several African liberation movements, particularly in Angola, Mozambique, and Namibia, as part of its geopolitical strategy in Africa.

May 12, 1956

Birth of Thabo Mbeki, South African political leader and second post-apartheid president

On this day, Thabo Mbeki, who would go on to become the second Black president of South Africa, was born. Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela and played a key role in shaping post-apartheid South Africa's economic and foreign policy, especially in promoting African unity and development through the African Renaissance initiative.

May 12, 1968

Protests erupt in France, inspired by global civil rights movements

On this day, protests broke out across France as part of the broader global movement for civil rights, labor rights, and social change. While not directly linked to African-American history, the protests were influenced by the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., and leaders of African and Caribbean descent played roles in advocating for marginalized communities in France.

May 12, 1978

United Nations adopts resolution condemning apartheid

On this day, the United Nations adopted a resolution condemning South Africa’s apartheid policies and calling for further international sanctions. This was a significant step in the global anti-apartheid movement, intensifying pressure on the South African government to end its system of racial segregation.

May 12, 1998

Hutu and Tutsi conflict escalates in Burundi

On this day, ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi groups in Burundi escalated, leading to mass killings and increased instability in the region. The conflict was part of broader ethnic tensions that had plagued both Burundi and neighboring Rwanda, resulting in civil wars and genocides during the 1990s.

May 12, 2005

Liberia begins post-civil war rebuilding process

On this day, Liberia began its formal post-civil war rebuilding process following the end of the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. The efforts to rebuild were led by newly elected President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female head of state, who focused on national reconciliation, economic recovery, and disarmament.

⬅ │ ➡