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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.

1932

Pik Botha, South African lawyer, politician, and diplomat, 8th South African Ambassador to the United States (died 2018)

Pik Botha, South African lawyer, politician, and diplomat, 8th South African Ambassador to the United States (died 2018)

2012

Roy Padayachie, South African lawyer and politician, South African Minister of Communications (born 1950)

Roy Padayachie, South African lawyer and politician, South African Minister of Communications (born 1950)

1901

Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, South African general and politician, 1st President of the South African Republic (born 1819

Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, South African general and politician, 1st President of the South African Republic (born 1819)

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.

1985

Becky Sauerbrunn, American footballer; twice a winner of the FIFA Women's World Cup, also an Olympic gold medallist

Becky Sauerbrunn, American footballer; twice a winner of the FIFA Women's World Cup, also an Olympic gold medallist

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.

1950

The United States defeated England during the FIFA World Cup in one of the greatest upsets in the competition's history

The United States defeated England during the FIFA World Cup in one of the greatest upsets in the competition's history.

1968

South African Airways Flight 228 crashed shortly after take-off from Windhoek in South West Africa, resulting in 123 dea

South African Airways Flight 228 crashed shortly after take-off from Windhoek in South West Africa, resulting in 123 deaths.

1954

Wladyslaw Zmuda, Polish footballer and manager; 91 caps for Poland and voted Best Young Player at the 1974 FIFA World Cu

Wladyslaw Zmuda, Polish footballer and manager; 91 caps for Poland and voted Best Young Player at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

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�

1927

Cardiff City defeated Arsenal 1–0 in the FA Cup final (match programme pictured) in the only time the FA Cup has been wo

Cardiff City defeated Arsenal 1–0 in the FA Cup final (match programme pictured) in the only time the FA Cup has been won by a non-English team.

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.

2014

Jean-Paul Ngoupandé, Central African politician, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (born 1948)

Jean-Paul Ngoupandé, Central African politician, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (born 1948)

2009

Abel Goumba, Central African physician and politician, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (born 1926)

Abel Goumba, Central African physician and politician, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (born 1926)

0

African Liberation Day (African Union, Rastafari)

African Liberation Day (African Union, Rastafari)

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.