On This Day: What happened on 10 December?

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 10 December, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 10 DECEMBER

1948 | The UN proclaims the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The day is commemorated as the International Human Rights Day.

1961 | Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli receives a Nobel Peace Prize for advising people to be non-violent to racial discrimination in South Africa. He was the first Black African to be awarded such a prize.

1963 | Zanzibar officially gained independence from Britain. 

1984 | Archbishop Desmond Tutu receives a Nobel Peace Prize for unifying people in the fight against apartheid. 

1993 | Presidents F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela received a joint Nobel Peace Prize for a peaceful transition from the apartheid regime to democracy.

1996 | South Africa President Nelson Mandela signs South Africa’s new constitution.

2013 | More than 90 world leaders and South Africans gather at FNB Stadium for Nelson Mandela’s memorial service. 

READ: On This Day: What happened on 9 December?

DEATHS

1998 | Algerian musician, Kamel Messaoudi (37)

2016 | Kenyan Olympic hockey player, Balbir Singh Sidhu (84)

2018 | Nigerian army general, Salihu Ibrahim (83)

BIRTHDAYS

1939 | South African artist, Allina Ndebele

1983 | Ghanaian footballer, Habib Mohamed

1985 | Congolese footballer, Trésor Mputu

SPORT

2006 | FIFA Club World Cup: Egyptian club Al Ahly beat NZ side Auckland City 2-0.

2011 | CAF Under-23 Championship, Gabon win the title after beating Morocco 2-1.

ENTERTAINMENT

2001 | Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring premieres in London.

AFRICA FACT

There are 54 countries in Africa. Algeria is the largest African country and Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, is the largest city.