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2010

The first African FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa

The first African FIFA World Cup kicks off in South Africa.

1987

First ever Rugby World Cup kicks off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand

First ever Rugby World Cup kicks off with New Zealand playing Italy at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

1986

The famous Hand of God goal, scored by Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup match between Arg

The famous Hand of God goal, scored by Diego Maradona in the quarter-finals of the 1986 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and England, ignites controversy. This was later followed by the Goal of�

1995

Rugby World Cup: South Africa defeats New Zealand and Nelson Mandela presents Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup i

Rugby World Cup: South Africa defeats New Zealand and Nelson Mandela presents Francois Pienaar with the Webb Ellis Cup in an iconic post-apartheid moment.

1962

During the FIFA World Cup, police had to intervene multiple times in fights between Chilean and Italian players in one o

During the FIFA World Cup, police had to intervene multiple times in fights between Chilean and Italian players in one of the most violent games in football history.

1954

The FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Hungary and Brazil, highly anticipated to be exciting, instead turns viole

The FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Hungary and Brazil, highly anticipated to be exciting, instead turns violent, with three players ejected and further fighting continuing after the game.

1961

The South African Constitution of 1961 becomes effective, thus creating the Republic of South Africa, which remains outs

The South African Constitution of 1961 becomes effective, thus creating the Republic of South Africa, which remains outside the Commonwealth of Nations until 1 June 1994, when South Africa is returned�

1993

Most of the Zambia national football team lose their lives in a plane crash off Libreville, Gabon en route to Dakar, Sen

Most of the Zambia national football team lose their lives in a plane crash off Libreville, Gabon en route to Dakar, Senegal to play a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Senegal.

1975

Fifteen West African countries sign the Treaty of Lagos, creating the Economic Community of West African States

Fifteen West African countries sign the Treaty of Lagos, creating the Economic Community of West African States.

1994

South African general election: The first democratic general election in South Africa, in which black citizens could vot

South African general election: The first democratic general election in South Africa, in which black citizens could vote. The Interim Constitution comes into force.

1910

The South Africa Act comes into force, establishing the Union of South Africa

The South Africa Act comes into force, establishing the Union of South Africa.

1994

South Africa begins its first multiracial election, which is won by Nelson Mandela's African National Congress

South Africa begins its first multiracial election, which is won by Nelson Mandela's African National Congress.

1994

The 1994 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot occurs after the New York Rangers defeat the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cu

The 1994 Vancouver Stanley Cup riot occurs after the New York Rangers defeat the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup, causing an estimated C$1.1 million, leading to 200 arrests and injuries.

1991

Apartheid: The South African Parliament repeals the Population Registration Act which required racial classification of

Apartheid: The South African Parliament repeals the Population Registration Act which required racial classification of all South Africans at birth.

1806

Action of 21 April 1806: A French frigate escapes British forces off the coast of South Africa

Action of 21 April 1806: A French frigate escapes British forces off the coast of South Africa.

1937

South African medical researcher Max Theiler develops the yellow fever vaccine at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York

South African medical researcher Max Theiler develops the yellow fever vaccine at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City.

1978

The South African Defence Force attacks a SWAPO base at Cassinga in southern Angola, killing about 600 people

The South African Defence Force attacks a SWAPO base at Cassinga in southern Angola, killing about 600 people.

1980

The African National Congress in South Africa publishes a call to fight from their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela

The African National Congress in South Africa publishes a call to fight from their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela.

2015

Nine people are killed in a mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina

Nine people are killed in a mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

1955

The South African Congress Alliance adopts the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in Kliptown

The South African Congress Alliance adopts the Freedom Charter at the Congress of the People in Kliptown.