The Freedom riders

1942, British and Allied forces take over Madagascar from the grips of Japanese and Vichy-French forces. The port of Madagascar was seen as a highly strategic point. Japan had the longest range submarines in those days, so it was considered a potential dangerous to allow her to continue to occupy Madagascar, as it had the capability of disrupting the Allied communication lines of Australia, the pacific and the Middle East regions. It took a little over three weeks before the final defeat of the Axis forces on Madagascan soil.



1961, the freedom riders initiate their protest against racial segregation on interstate buses in southern US. The group defied all the violence and threats in order to carry on with their ride which ended with a massive rally in New Orleans, Louisiana.



1978, South African Police engage in a firefight South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) guerrilla fighters, who had their bases in neighbouring Zambia and Angola in what was known at the Namibian war of independence. The war started as a result of Namibian discontent with South African occupation. The nation which was known as South Western Africa was occupied by South African forces after the defeat of Germany in WWI.

1984, During a mass by Pope John Paul II in Kinshasa, Zaire (D.R.Congo), more than half a dozen people are trampled to death by accident.