On This Day: What happened on 12 December?
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, 12 December, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.
ON THIS DAY: 12 DECEMBER
1962 | Poqo members were detained by the police when they were on their way to kill Chief Kaiser Matanzima. Seven members died and three police officers were seriously injured.
1963 | Kenya officially gains Independence from Britain. Jomo Kenyatta becomes the first Prime Minister.
1984 | United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders, Archibald Gumede, Paul David and Billy Nair are charged with treason for organising a protest against August 1984 elections for the new Indian and Coloured chambers of Parliament.
1986 | Zwelakhe Sisulu, South African journalist was arrested for his journalism and held up at John Vorster Square.
1991 | Abuja becomes the capital city of Nigeria, replacing the most populated city Lagos.
READ: On This Day: What happened on 11 December?
DEATHS
1913 | Emperor of Ethiopia, Menelik II (69)
1947 | Egyptian feminist leader, Huda Sha’arawi (68)
2004 | South African boxer, George Hunter (77)
BIRTHDAYS
1917 | South African political activist, Benjamin Magson Kies
1969 | Kenyan middle-distance runner, Wilfred Kirochi
1971 | Kenyan long-distance runner, Sammy Korir
1980 | Ethiopian runner, Dejene Berhanu
1986 | Rwandan football player, Daddy Birori
1990 | Kenyan middle-distance runner, Nixon Chepseba
SPORT
2002 | Cristiano Ronaldo received the Ballon d’Or and for the second time as the best footballer in Europe.
2009 | South Africa Sevens leg, played in George, New Zealand won the Cup final 21-12 against Fiji.
2010 | 5th ODI in Chittagong, Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by six wickets.
2016 | Cristiano Ronaldo received the Ballon d’Or for the 4th time.
ENTERTAINMENT
2001 | American actress Winona Ryder is arrested for shoplifting.
AFRICA FACT
The shortest people in the world, called the pygmies, live in Africa. The average man is 1.45m (4-foot-7) and the average woman is 1.33m (4-foot-4).