August 4 1909
Following the murder of five French citizens, and four other Europeans, by a mob of 'Moorish fanatics', whilst working on harbour improvements, the French government sent in its troops. An initial attempt to land at Casablanca was met with heavy fire from the town's batteries, so the French used its navel presence to bombard the town for 48 hours. Over 1,000 Moors were reported killed or wounded.
Today, 2,000 French troops landed unopposed.
August 4 1940, World War II: East AfricaFollowing the murder of five French citizens, and four other Europeans, by a mob of 'Moorish fanatics', whilst working on harbour improvements, the French government sent in its troops. An initial attempt to land at Casablanca was met with heavy fire from the town's batteries, so the French used its navel presence to bombard the town for 48 hours. Over 1,000 Moors were reported killed or wounded.
Today, 2,000 French troops landed unopposed.
British Somaliland was invaded by Italian troops from their bases in Abyssinia. General Godwin-Austin and his small garrison of British troops was unable to stop the Duke d'Aosta's 25,000 soldiers who swarmed across the border.
August 4 1971
Malawian Ambassador to South Africa, Joe Kachingwe, was the first Black African statesman to be formally recognised by the Apartheid government in South Africa.
August 4 1976
Former South African Student's Organisation official, Mapetla Mohapi, died in custody.
August 4 1990
US marines were sent into Liberia to rescue US citizens from the growing civil war.
Source: africanhistory.about.com
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