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

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.

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.

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.

2000

Arsenal and Galatasaray fans clash in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final riots in Copenhagen

1982

During the UEFA Cup match between FC Spartak Moscow and HFC Haarlem, 66 people are crushed to death in the Luzhniki…

During the UEFA Cup match between FC Spartak Moscow and HFC Haarlem, 66 people are crushed to death in the Luzhniki disaster.

1945

World War II: Last German U-boat attack of the war, two freighters are sunk off the Firth of Forth, Scotland

World War II: Last German U-boat attack of the war, two freighters are sunk off the Firth of Forth, Scotland.

1943

World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland

World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland.

1931

Wiley Post and Harold Gatty take off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island in an attempt to circumnavigate the world in a si

Wiley Post and Harold Gatty take off from Roosevelt Field, Long Island in an attempt to circumnavigate the world in a single-engine plane.

1917 world war i several french army corps began a massive assau 04 16

1914

World War I: The German minelayer SS Königin Luise lays a minefield about 40 miles (64 km) off the Thames Estuary…

World War I: The German minelayer SS Königin Luise lays a minefield about 40 miles (64 km) off the Thames Estuary (Lowestoft). She is intercepted and sunk by the British light-cruiser HMS Amphion.

1944 world war ii american and australian forces landed on the j 09 15

1942

World War II: Off Guadalcanal, United States Navy ships intercept and defeat a Japanese force.

1972

East African Airways Flight 720 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis A

East African Airways Flight 720 crashes during a rejected takeoff from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing 43.

1980

Rioting spreads to Miami's mostly African-American neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City following the previous day

Rioting spreads to Miami's mostly African-American neighborhoods of Overtown and Liberty City following the previous day's courthouse protests.

1963

The Organisation of African Unity is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The Organisation of African Unity is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

1966

March Against Fear: African-American civil rights activist James Meredith is wounded in an ambush by white sniper James

March Against Fear: African-American civil rights activist James Meredith is wounded in an ambush by white sniper James Aubrey Norvell. Meredith and Norvell are photographed by Jack R. Thornell, whose�