This Day in History - April 8th

1953: Kenyatta sentenced for Mau Mau uprising

Jomo Kenyatta, leader of the Kenyan independence movement, is convicted by Kenya's British rulers of leading the extremist Mau Mau in their violence against white settlers and the colonial government. An advocate of nonviolence and conservatism, he pleaded innocent in the highly politicised trial. One of modern Africa's first nationalist leaders, Kenyatta was a great defender of Kenyan and African culture and wrote eloquently about the plight of Kenyans under colonial rule. He played little part in the Mau Mau uprising of 1952, but was imprisoned for nine years along with other nationalist leaders. Upon his release in 1961, Kenyatta became president of the Kenya African National Union and led negotiations with the British for self-rule. In 1963, Kenya won independence and in 1964, Kenyatta was elected president. He served until his death in 1978.

Also On This Day

2005

In Italy, the funeral of Pope John Paul II takes place.

2004

In Sudan, the government and two rebel groups sign the Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement, designed to halt the fighting in Darfur.

1995

In Georgia, America British born Nicholas Ingram is executed in the electric chair for the murderer of two people in 1983.

1986

American actor Clint Eastwood is elected Mayor of Carmel in California.

1974

In baseball, Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth's record by hitting his 715th home run.

1973

Artist Pablo Picasso dies from heart attack.

1967

In Austria, Britain wins the Eurovision Song Contest with Sandie Shaw singing “Puppet on a String.”

1950

The Liaquat-Nehru Pact, an attempt to ease tension between the religious minorities of India and Pakistan, is signed.

1945

The Second World War: Lutheran pastor and anti-Nazi leader, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, is hanged in Flossenburg, Germany.

1935

In America, Congress approves the Works Progress Administration, one of the central tenants of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's “New Deal.”

1918

The First World War: Thousands of Americans watch actors Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin sell war bonds on Wall Street.

1904

In New York, America Longacre Square is renamed Times Square.

1904

Britain and France sign the Entente Cordiale.

1899

In America, Martha Place becomes the first woman to be executed in the electric chair.

563BC

According to Buddhist religion, Gautama Buddha is born, the founder of Buddhism.