CalEvents:May/May 3
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for May 3
Date
Event
Significance
May 3, 1898
Birth of Gold Coast (Ghanaian) nationalist Joseph B. Danquah
On this day, Joseph Boakye Danquah, a key figure in the independence movement of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), was born. Danquah played a significant role in the formation of political consciousness that eventually led to the country’s independence in 1957.
May 3, 1963
"Birmingham Children's Crusade" begins in Alabama
On this day, hundreds of African-American schoolchildren marched in Birmingham, Alabama, as part of the Children's Crusade, protesting racial segregation. The march was met with violent resistance from the police, sparking national outrage and becoming a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.
May 3, 1965
CIA-backed coup in Congo destabilizes the region
On this day, the U.S.-backed coup in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire) led by Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, further destabilized the region. This event had long-term effects on African geopolitics, contributing to decades of autocratic rule under Mobutu and ongoing instability in the country.
May 3, 1978
First African woman, Elisabeth Domitien, becomes Prime Minister of the Central African Republic
On this day, Elisabeth Domitien became the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister in an African country. Her leadership in the Central African Republic marked a milestone for women in African politics, though her time in office was short-lived.
May 3, 1994
Nelson Mandela casts vote in South Africa's first democratic elections
On this day, Nelson Mandela cast his vote in South Africa's first democratic election, which marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of political freedom and equality in the country.
May 3, 1994
Rwandan Genocide continues
On this day, the Rwandan Genocide continued with mass killings of Tutsis and moderate Hutus by Hutu extremists. International efforts to intervene were still inadequate, and the genocide persisted until July, resulting in nearly 800,000 deaths.
May 3, 2008
Food price protests erupt across Africa
On this day, protests against rising food prices erupted in several African nations, including Egypt, Senegal, and Burkina Faso. The protests reflected broader economic inequalities and the global food crisis, disproportionately affecting African nations.