April

Today in African History

Historical Events

1940 – Souleymane Cissé, a Malian film director, regarded as one of the first generations of African filmmakers, is born.
1961 - The Algiers putsch, a failed coup d'état by French soldiers intended to force French President Charles de Gaulle not to abandon French Algeria, happens.
1966 - Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I, visits Jamaica, an event celebrated annually as Grounation Day by the Rastafari.
2008 - Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot of Kenya wins 3rd straight men's title in 2:07:45 at the 112th Boston Marathon.
2010 - Algeria, Mauritania, Mali and Niger open a joint military headquarters in Tamanrasset, Algeria, to coordinate responses to terrorism and drug trafficking-related crime.
2011 - An Egyptian court orders the removal of the name of Egypt's former President, Hosni Mubarak and that of his wife, Suzanne, from all public facilities and institutions.
Holiday: Eid al-Fitr

Sudan Has More Pyramids Than Egypt

🌍 Did you know that Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt? Yes, it's true! The Pyramids of Meroë in Sudan are a stunning reminder of the ancient Nubian kingdom that once ruled over Egypt.

But that's not all. Have you heard of Valentine Strasser, the youngest African president? At the age of 25, he found himself installed as the leader of Sierra Leone and commander-in-chief of an impoverished army, making him the world's youngest president at the time.

And if you're a fan of folklore, you'll love the story of Nyamgondho Wuod Ombare, a legend among the Luo people of Kenya. Want to know more? Check out the full story here: Newsletter Issue 6

Discover Africa's Rich Past

Haile Selassie's Visit to Jamaica

In 1966, something remarkable happened in Jamaica that would go down in history as Grounation Day. Tens of thousands of Rastafarians gathered at the airport in Kingston to welcome the arrival of their Messiah and God, Haile Selassie. Yes, you read that right - they believed that a man from Ethiopia was their savior. But to the Rastafarians, Haile Selassie was no ordinary man. He was the 225th successor to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, a representative of the Solomonic dynasty, and a powerful black king who would bring about the return to Africa and the liberation of black people from colonial oppression.
Now, you might be thinking, "How on earth did this happen?" Well, the Rastafarian faith is rooted in Christianity, but with a twist. It's filled with Old Testament and apocalyptic references and permeated by a 'black messianic mysticism,' which teaches the divinity of Haile Selassie. And their belief was only strengthened by two events: the prolonged drought in Jamaica that ended with the announcement of Haile Selassie's imperial coronation in 1930, and his visit to Jamaica in 1966.
Haile Selassie's visit was the stuff of legend. Tens of thousands of Rastafarians lined the streets, shouting "Jah Rastafari!" and waving the Ethiopian flag. They dressed in their finest robes and headdresses, playing drums and chanting songs of praise. Haile Selassie, for his part, was gracious and humble, thanking the crowd for their warm welcome. It was a moment of pure joy and celebration, a coming together of people from all walks of life to honor their faith and their God.
So next time you hear someone say that truth is stranger than fiction, think of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica. It might sound unbelievable, but for the Rastafarians, it was nothing short of a miracle.

April 21st, the day of the visit, has been celebrated in Jamaica since then and is considered the second most important holiday for the Rastafarians after November 2nd, the date of the imperial coronation. It's a testament to the enduring legacy of Haile Selassie and the profound impact he had on the people of Jamaica.