On This Day: What happened on 18 December?

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 18 December, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

ON THIS DAY: 18 DECEMBER

1923 | The first trial radio station of a music concert was broadcasted by the Western Electric Company in Johannesburg. 

1991 | Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi refused to attend the first meeting of the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) because he did not agree with their decision not to invite the Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelethini to lead a separate IFP delegation.

1995 | 141 people died including crew members when a Zaire now Congolese aeroplane Lockheed L-188C Electra crashed near Jamba in Angola. 

2017 | The ANC selects Cyril Ramaphosa as the leader, to succeed President Jacob Zuma.

READ: On This Day: What happened on 17 December?

DEATHS

2006 | South African yachtsman, Bertie Reed (63)

2011 | South African-born British sociologist, John Rex, (86)

2013 | South African-English businessman, Graham Mackay (64)

BIRTHDAYS

1946 | South African activist, Steve Biko

1963 | President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza

1965 | South African soccer player, John Moshoeu

SPORT

2010 | Day 3 of the 1st Test in Centurion between SA and India, Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis top-scored with 201 not out. 

2010 | FIFA Club World Cup final, TP Mazembe from Congo lost 3-0 against Internazionale from Italy. 

ENTERTAINMENT

2002 | Lord of the Rings second movie The Two Towers released. 

2009 | James Cameron’s Avatar science fiction film was released.

AFRICA FACT

More than 5.4 million people died during the Second Congo War. It is the world’s deadliest conflict since World War II.