TODAY IN HISTORY
• 2017 - Nigeria
The currency value fell to N500 per dollar $, defying anticipated support of resurging foreign exchange (forex) reserves’ volume at $27.9 billion. • The Department of State Services in Abuja interrogated General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman for several hours over alleged inciting comment. • Nigeria Customs Service intercepted 661 pump action rifles in Lagos. The guns, concealed in a 40foot container with number PONU 825914(3)45G1, were seized on Mile 2, Oshodi/apapa Expressway.
• 2012 - Nigeria
Court of Appeal ruled that Maj. Hamza Al-mustapha, the Chief Security Officer for feared military dictator Sani Abacha, should be hanged. He was accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of the wife of Chief Moshood Abiola, flamboyant businessman believed to be have won the 1993 presidential election that was later annulled.
• 2010 - S/africa
Ashes of Mahatma Gandhi India independence hero kept for decades by a family friend after his assassination, were scattered off South Africa's coast.
• 2007 - Nigeria
Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused Pres. Olusegun Obasanjo of buying arms to suppress unrest in the Niger delta rather than pacifying the region with development.
• 2007 - Liberia
First all-female UN peacekeeping unit, 103 women from India, arrived to help Liberia recover from 14 years of civil war.
• 2004 - Nigeria
A small plane crashed into the Atlantic ocean off Goshen Beach in Lagos.
• 2003 - Belgium
Belgium officially recognized gay marriages.
• 1993 - Germany
At the 60th anniversary of Hitler's swearing-in as chancellor, 300,000 Germans carried candles to denounce the Nazi era.
• 1948 - India
Mahatma Gandhi (78) was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, while walking to prayer meeting in New Delhi. Godse felt in trying to achieve reconciliation between Hindus and Muslims Gandhi had betrayed the Hindu cause. Gandhi studied law in UK, inspired by Henry Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience," he developed his own philosophy of peaceful resistance. After practicing law in South Africa for 20 years, he returned home to campaign for reconciliation of all classes.