International Women’s Day Durban, South Africa in 2017. Image: Flickr
On This Day in South Africa: What happened on 8 March?
We look back on this day in world and South African history, remembering the people and events that shaped the world we live in today.
International Women’s Day Durban, South Africa in 2017. Image: Flickr
Take a look at what happened on this day, 8 March in history. From a variety of achievements, and milestones throughout human history to groundbreaking inventions and events that shaped the world we live in today.
Here is a look at some of the most notable events that happened on this day.
ON THIS DAY: 8 MARCH
1973 | During a parliamentary debate, Petrus Cornelius Pelser, Minister of Justice, defended the banning orders against eight SASO leaders. He explained the decision by claiming that he was preventing terrorism from occurring in the future.
2021 | In Mexico, marches for International Women’s Day turned violent, injuring 62 police officers and 19 bystanders in Mexico City alone.
2018 | On International Women’s Day in Karachi, Pakistan, the first Aurat March (social/political demonstration) was held. Since then, it has been held every year throughout Pakistan, and the feminist slogan Mera Jism Meri Marzi (My body, my choice), which demands women’s right to bodily autonomy and combats gender-based violence, has gained popularity in Pakistan.
1921 | On his journey home from the Madrid parliament building, Spanish Prime Minister Eduardo Dato Iradier was shot and killed.
ALSO READ: What happened on 7 March?
BIRTHDAYS
1971 | South African businessman, Mohamed Shameel Aziz Joosub.
1990 | South African model, Tshegofatso Seakgoe.
1976 | American actor, producer, and screenwriter, Freddie Prinze Jr.
1961 | Canadian ice hockey player, Larry Murphy.
1988 | South African boxer, Zolani Tete.
ON THIS DAY: DEATHS
1986 | Trade unionist, politician, Umkhonto weSizwe commander and Secretary-General of the SA Communist Party, Moses Mabhida died of a heart attack at age of 62.
2015 | American director, producer, and screenwriter, Sam Simon, 60.
2012 | Iranian author and academic, Simin Daneshvar, 91.
2004 | Syrian terrorist, founded the Palestine Liberation Front, Muhammad Zaidan, 55.
SPORTS
1974 | On this day, Bobby Moore, who claimed he wished to find a new club and a new challenge, was placed on West Ham’s transfer list. The following week he moved to Fulham where he ended his League playing career.
ENTERTAINMENT
2003 | On this day, “In Da Club,” 50 Cent’s debut song, tops the Hot 100 for the first of nine consecutive weeks.
AFRICA FACT
The first African University to advance to the World Universities Debate Competition final is Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana. in 2022, they earned a spot in the semi-finals.
