TODAY IN HISTORY

• 2020 - Ethiopia

Over 700 civilians were massacred by the Ethiopian National Defense Force and Eritrean Army in Aksum, Ethiopia.

• 2017 - Nigeria

Embattled ex- chairman of defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, said Pres. Buhari okayed his meeting with Attorney- General, Malami and he helped Pres. Buhari recover N1.3tn in January.

• 2016 - Nigeria

Army began security operation code- named Python Dance, in the five SouthEast states as part of efforts to rein in IPOB agitations.

• 2016 - S/ Africa

New HIV vaccine trial began in Africa ahead of World AIDS Day. Scientists unveiled the first Human Immunodeficiency Virus ( HIV) vaccine efficacy study for over seven years in South Africa

• 2016 - Colombia

A chartered plane carrying 77 people, including the Chapecoense football team crashed in Colombia.

• 2014 - Nigeria

102 people were killed and over 150 wounded in a series of bomb blasts at the central mosque, Kano.

• 2013 - Libya

In Libya gunmen opened fire on a vehicle in Benghazi killing a soldier. More than 40 people were killed in an explosion at an army depot in southern Libya after locals tried to steal ammunition.

• 2013 - Egypt

Egypt's two highest appeals courts suspended their work to protest presidential decrees that gave the country's Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi nearly absolute powers, state television reported.

• 2011 - Britain

Britain said its military will stop providing a helicopter search and rescue service. Operations like the one by Prince William and his Royal Air Force colleagues, that saved two sailors will in the future be carried out by civilians.

• 2008 - China

China executed Wo Weihan, a scientist accused of passing information to Taiwan, triggering condemnation from his family and several countries.

• 2006 - Nigeria

Amnesty International said Nigerian police and soldiers are using rape to intimidate restive communities and tor ture to extract confessions from suspects in custody.

• 1990 - UK

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher resigned as leader of the Conservative Party and, therefore, as Prime Minister. She was succeeded by John Major.