Thread by @NewsHawksLive

#TodayInHistory
On this day in 1912, Africa's oldest liberation movement, the African National Congress (ANC) - which inspired formation of other parties to fight for freedom - was founded in Bloemfontein.
It won freedom for South Africa after 82 years of bitter struggle.

Following many years and wars
of resistance against colonial invaders and white settlerism, which had started in 1652,
on 8 January 1912, chiefs, representatives of people’s and church organisations, and other prominent individuals gathered in Bloemfontein to form the ANC.

In 1652, Dutch colonial pioneer Jan van Riebeeck established a small colony on the Cape of
Good Hope (Cape Town) as a refreshment station for the Dutch East India Company.
It soon became a town as Dutch settlers sought to grab land and establish themselves through farming.

Originally, it was called South African Native National Congress.
It then changed its name to the African National Congress in 1923 as it sought to become more Pan-African and to mobilise Africans across the region to fight colonial administrations and discrimination.

KEY DATES IN SOUTH AFRICA HISTORY:
1652 - Jan van Riebeeck, representing the Dutch East India Company, founds the Cape Colony at Table Bay;
1795 - British forces seize Cape Colony from the Netherlands. Territory is returned to the Dutch in 1803; ceded to the British in 1806;

1816-1830 - The legendary Shaka Zulu founds and expands the Zulu Empire, creates a formidable fighting force;
1835-1840 - Boers leave Cape Colony in the "Great Trek" and found the Orange Free State and the Transvaal;
1852 - British grant limited self-government to the Transvaal;

1852 - British grant limited self-government to the Transvaal.
1856 - Natal separates from the Cape Colony;
Late 1850s - Boers proclaim the Transvaal a republic;
1860-1911 - Arrival of thousands of workers and traders from India, forebears of the majority of SA's current Indians.

1867 - Diamonds discovered at Kimberley;
1877 - Britain annexes Transvaal;
1879 - British defeated by Zulus at the famous Battle of Isandlwana. The British's defeat by Zulu forces under King Cetshwayo reverberates around and shocks the world, but they finally take over Natal;

1880-81 - Boers rebel against the British, sparking the first Anglo-Boer War;
1880s - Gold is discovered in the Transvaal, triggering the gold rush;
1899 - British troops gather on the Transvaal border and ignore an ultimatum to disperse. The second Anglo-Boer War begins;

1902 - Treaty of Vereeniging ends the second Anglo-Boer War. The Transvaal and Orange Free State become self-governing colonies of the British Empire;
1910 - Formation of Union of South Africa by Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State;
1912 - ANC is formed;