What’s Happening Today?

World Standards Day. The day honours the efforts of the thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within standards development organizations such as the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). The aim of World Standards Day is to raise awareness among regulators, industry and consumers as to the importance of standardization to the global economy.

Mwalimu Nyerere Day (Tanzania). This holiday commemorates the death of Julius Nyerere, the "father of the Nation", on this day in 1999. Julius Nyerere was born in March 1922. After working as a teacher, he was a founder member of the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU) and became a strong voice in the struggle for independence of Tanganyika from Britain. After independence was gained, he became the first Prime Minister of Tanganyika from 1961 to 1962 and its first President from 1963 to 1964. 

What Happened Today?

1. In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in combating racial inequality through nonviolence.

2. In 1994, the Israeli Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin and Foreign Minister, Shimon Peres shared the Nobel Peace Prize, which is annually awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee based in Oslo, with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat. The Award was given out to the two parties for their efforts and work on the Oslo Accords, a series of agreements between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. 

3. In 2005, Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony was indicted on 33 charges by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Despite his indictment over 15 years ago, Kony is yet to be captured despite concerted efforts by governments in the Great Lakes Region to apprehend him. He is currently rumoured to be in the Central African Republic.

Birthdays

1. 1978 – Usher Raymond, multi-award-winning American singer, songwriter, actor and businessman.

2. 1994 – Halima Nakaayi, Ugandan sprinter who is the 800 metres World Champion.

Sources: Wikipedia, checkiday. Bornglorious & officeholidays.com

Picture credit: Pambazuka News