Journalism of Courage
As the Indian state crosses another landmark this Saturday,heres taking a look at the milestones reached by three other nations who gained freedom from Britain and how they were placed as they entered their 63rd year of independence
United States in 1839 (July 4,1776 — date of achieving independence)
* The west was still being explored,the country was suffering a depression,and much of the country was still divided into territories.
* The American Indian wars are being fought,although a treaty is reached in Florida. William Harrison was president.
* Spanish slave ship Amistad,carrying 53 slaves,is taken over in a mutiny by their leader,Cinque; before the Supreme Court,John Quincy Adams argues their right to be freed.
* Morse code starts lines to connect the country
* Women permitted to vote for the first time at an annual convention of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) Events
Canada in 1930(July 1,1867 — date of achieving independence)
* Cairine Wilson becomes Canada’s first female senator
* Federal election: R B Bennett’s Conservatives win a majority,defeating Mackenzie King’s Liberals
* R B Bennett becomes Prime Minister,replacing Mackenzie King
* Gordon Harrington becomes premier of Nova Scotia,replacing Edgar Rhodes Norway relinquishes its claim to the Sverdrup Islands.
* George Henry becomes premier of Ontario,replacing Howard Ferguson
South Africa in 1994 (Dec 11,1931 — date of achieving independence)
* Disgruntled nuclear and rocket scientists threaten to expose South Africa’s closely guarded secrets about the arms programme unless they are paid R4.5-million in retrenchment benefits
* South Africa is readmitted to the Olympic games by the International Olympic Committee
* The first democratic elections take place which the African National Congress wins
* Nelson Mandela is sworn in as the first President of South Africa and FW de Klerk and Thabo Mbeki become joint deputy presidents
* The United Nations lifts its arms embargo on South Africa
(compiled by Shalini Rai)
