On This Day: What happened on 15 March?

Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 15 March, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.

1922 | Fuad I officially becomes King of Egypt after the country gained nominal independence from Britain. 

1961 | At Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ Conference, South Africa announces that when its Constitution of 1961 comes into effect, it will withdraw from the Commonwealth. 

1978 | Somalia and Ethiopia signed an agreement to end the Ethio-Somali War.

2019 | More than 1.4 million young people in 123 countries around the world go on strike to protest stronger climate policies. 

2020 | President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the Covid-19 outbreak a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act.

READ: On This Day: What happened on 14 March?

DEATHS

2010 | South African artist, Robert Hodgins (89) 

2010 | Zimbabwean musician, Sam Mtukudzi (21) 

2011 | Kenyan musician, Musa Juma (42) 

BIRTHDAYS

1952 | South African writer, Gillian Slovo

1983 | South African rugby player, Franco van der Merwe

1983 | South African cricket player, Rory Kleinveldt

SPORT

2011 | Cricket World Cup: South Africa beat Ireland by 131 runs and advance to the quarter-finals.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

1972 | The Godfather, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, premieres.

2013 | Justin Timberlake releases his 3rd studio album ‘The 20/20 Experience’.

AFRICA FACT

The highest mountain in Africa is Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Its height is approximately 19 340 feet.