Search: The first African FIFA World Cup kicks off inâ€¦ — Historical Events

1904

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris.

1942

RMS Laconia was sunk by a U-boat off the coast of West Africa, which then attempted to rescue the passengers as it was…

RMS Laconia was sunk by a U-boat off the coast of West Africa, which then attempted to rescue the passengers as it was acting under the old prize rules.

1939

World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany.

1971

Prospero (flight spare pictured), the first British satellite launched on a British rocket, lifted off from Launch…

Prospero (flight spare pictured), the first British satellite launched on a British rocket, lifted off from Launch Area 5B in Woomera, South Australia.

1991

An explosion on the Greek cruise ship MTS Oceanos (pictured) ruptured its hull, causing it to sink off the east coast…

An explosion on the Greek cruise ship MTS Oceanos (pictured) ruptured its hull, causing it to sink off the east coast of South Africa, with all 571 people on board rescued.

1884

Moses Fleetwood Walker (pictured), the last African American in Major League Baseball until Jackie Robinson, played his

Moses Fleetwood Walker (pictured), the last African American in Major League Baseball until Jackie Robinson, played his first game for the Toledo Blue Stockings.

1994

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president

Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first black president.

1933

The first rugby union test match between the Wallabies of Australia and the Springboks of South Africa is played at…

The first rugby union test match between the Wallabies of Australia and the Springboks of South Africa is played at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.

1981

The first game of the 1981 South Africa rugby union tour of New Zealand and the United States is held in Gisborne, New…

The first game of the 1981 South Africa rugby union tour of New Zealand and the United States is held in Gisborne, New Zealand.

2014

The ferry MV Sewol capsized and sank off Donggeochado, South Korea, killing 306 people, mainly students from Danwon High

The ferry MV Sewol capsized and sank off Donggeochado, South Korea, killing 306 people, mainly students from Danwon High School.

1969

Melbourne–Evans collision: off the coast of South Vietnam, the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne cuts the U

Melbourne–Evans collision: off the coast of South Vietnam, the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne cuts the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in half; resulting in 74 deaths.

1799 french revolutionary wars severely outnumbered french force 04 16

1795

French Revolutionary Wars: Off the coast of Brittany, a Royal Navy squadron commanded by William Cornwallis (pictured) f

French Revolutionary Wars: Off the coast of Brittany, a Royal Navy squadron commanded by William Cornwallis (pictured) fended off a numerically superior French Navy fleet.

1914

Off the coast of the Dutch island of Texel, a British naval squadron sank the German 7th Half Flotilla of torpedo…

Off the coast of the Dutch island of Texel, a British naval squadron sank the German 7th Half Flotilla of torpedo boats in the Battle off Texel.

1927

Cardiff City defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final, the only time it has been won by a team not based in England

Cardiff City defeat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final, the only time it has been won by a team not based in England.

1923

The FA Cup final (crowd and police pictured) between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United was held on the opening day of

The FA Cup final (crowd and police pictured) between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United was held on the opening day of the Empire Stadium in London.

2008

On the day of the UEFA Cup Final, violence erupted between football hooligan supporters of both teams and the Greater Ma

On the day of the UEFA Cup Final, violence erupted between football hooligan supporters of both teams and the Greater Manchester Police, resulting in 39 arrests and 39 injured officers.