On this day

In 1994, The Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) president Clarence Makwetu announced the PAC’s suspension of its armed struggle. Image: Sa History

On This Day in South Africa: What happened on 16 January?

We look back on this day in history and remember the people and events that shaped the world we live in today.

On this day

In 1994, The Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) president Clarence Makwetu announced the PAC’s suspension of its armed struggle. Image: Sa History

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 16 January, throughout world and South African history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 16 JANUARY

1994 | The Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) president Clarence Makwetu announced the PAC’s suspension of its armed struggle.

1834 | Sir Benjamin D’Urban, for whom the city of Durban was named, took office as Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. Benjamin D’Urban was born in Suffolk, England and joined the British Army in 1793.

2020 | The first impeachment of Donald Trump officially began in his trial phase in the United States Senate.

2018 | Myanmar police opened fire on Rakhine protesters, killing seven and injuring twelve.

2003 | Space Shuttle Columbia took off on mission STS-107 which was the last. Columbia disintegrated 16 days later after re-entry.

1919 | Nebraska was the 36th state to ratify the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. With a significant three-quarters of the states approving the amendment, Prohibition was ratified in the US Constitution a year later.

ALSO READ: What happened on 15 January?

BIRTHDAYS

1982 | Author, musician and television host from South Africa, Dawn Faith.

1966 | South African politician, Mbulelo Sogoni.

1970 | American baseball player and coach, Ron Villone.

1969 | German footballer, Marinus Bester.

1980 | American actor, playwright, and composer, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

ON THIS DAY: DEATHS

2020 | British academic and editor, Christopher Tolkien, 96.

2019 | American businessman, investor, and philanthropist, John C. Bogle, 90.

2000 | American physicist and academic, Robert R. Wilson, 86

1957 | First Earl of Athlone, English general and politician, 16th Governor General of Canada, Alexander Cambridge,83.

2001 | Congolese revolutionary and politician, Laurent-Désiré Kabila, 62.

SPORTS

2022 | On this day, three goals from Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-chamberlain, and Takumi Minamino helped Liverpool to earn all 3 points against Brentford in the Premier League match.

ENTERTAINMENT

1938 | First jazz concert held at Carnegie Hall, performed by Benny Goodman and his band on this day.

AFRICA FACT

About 6% of world’s copper reserves are in Zambia.