THIS MONTH IN HISTORY

2 October 1869 - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Gujarat, India. After training as a lawyer in London, Gandhi came to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit. He went on to live in the country for 21 years, and it was here that he developed his practice of satyagraha, a particular form of nonviolent resistance, in campaigns for civil rights.

11 October 1899 - The South African War, also known as the Second Anglo-Boer War, shaped the history of the country. The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, the Jameson Raid and tension between political leaders were just a few factors that led to this conflict.

1 October 1975 - Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Frazier after 14 brutal rounds in what is regarded as one of the greatest prize fights of all time. The fight, which was staged in the capital of the Philippines, became known as the Thrilla in Manilla.

8 October 2005 - About 79 000 people died when an earthquake struck Kashmir and the northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan.