On This Day: What happened on 11 January?
We look back on this day in history and remember the people and events that shaped the world we live in today. Every day is worth remembering.
Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 11 January, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.
ON THIS DAY: 11 JANUARY
1904 | A rebellion by Herero people against Germany in Namibia broke out.
1962 | Nelson Mandela was smuggled out of South Africa and was granted an Ethiopian passport by Haile Selassie as a journalist, under the name David Motsamayi.
1974 | First sextuplets, 3 boys and 3 girls, to survive their infancy were born in Cape Town, South Africa by Susan Rosenkowitz.
1982 | The International Year of Mobilisation for Sanctions against South Africa was launched. South Africa criticised for its racial discrimination policies.
1999 | Amnesty for former police officer Gideon Nieuwoudt for his role in the death of Steve Biko in 1977 was rejected by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
READ: On this Day: What happened on 10 January?
DEATHS
2013 | Ethiopian runner, Alemayehu Shumye (25)
2014 | South African journalist, Stanley Uys (91)
2016 | Congolese Bishop of Kindu, Albert Onyembo Lomandjo (84)
BIRTHDAYS
1903 | South African author and activist, Alan Paton
1904 | South African athlete, Johannes Viljoen
SPORT
1959 | Pakistan cricketer Hanif Mohammad made 499 in the semi-final of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in Karachi. He surpassed Don Bradman’s record.
2016 | Barcelona forward Lionel Messi wins his 5th Ballon d’Or award.
ENTERTAINMENT
1966 | Daktari a series about Animal Behavior in East Africa premieres on CBS.
1991 | NWA/WCW wrestling title is won by Ric Flair.
1992 | Paul Simon, an American musician started his South Africa tour.
2010 | Simon Cowell announces that he will be leaving ‘American Idol’.
AFRICA FACT
Africa and Europe are separated by less than 9 miles (about 16km) at the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain from Morocco.