On This Day: What happened on 18 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, 18 January, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.
ON THIS DAY: 18 JANUARY
1900 | The 104mm field-gun the ‘Long Cecil’ which was named after Cecil John Rhodes, was test-fired at Boer forces for the first time during the Siege of Kimberley.
1900 | Former South African president, Paul Kruger repudiates the execution of cattle herds. The execution was practised in accordance with the council of war decision on cattle-rustlers.
1902 | Boer military leader, scout and heliographer during the Anglo-Boer War, Gideon Scheepers was executed for war crimes.
1953 | During the peak of the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya, colonial governor of Kenya, Sir Evelyn Baring, declared that anyone who takes the Mau Mau oath will be sentenced to death.
1987 | South African policemen, Constable Vlotman, was given a R500 fine and suspended for 5 years for assaulting three journalists in Athlone, Cape Town.
1989 | South African president, P.W Botha suffered a mild stroke.
READ: On this Day: What happened on 17 January?
DEATHS
2014 | Former Nigerian Governor of Plateau State, Michael Botmang (76)
2017 | South African born-Jamaican writer, Peter Abrahams (98)
2020 | South Africa’s first black world champion boxer, Peter “Terror” Mathebula (67)
BIRTHDAYS
1933 | Former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emeka Anyaoku
1971 | Kenyan writer, Binyavanga Wainaina
1990 | South African baseball player, Gift Ngoepe
SPORT
2009 | Australia win the second ODI by 5 runs against South Africa in Hobart, Australia.
2015 | AB de Villiers makes history in ODI cricket when he scored a century off just 31 balls against the West Indies.
ENTERTAINMENT
1964 | The Beatles make their first appearance on US Billboard Chart with the single ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’.
2008 | America actor George Clooney was announced by the UN as a United Nations messenger of peace.
AFRICA FACT
South Africa is home to 6% of the world’s mammals and reptiles even though it only takes up only 1% of Earth’s land surface.