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.