ON THIS DAY OCTOBER 29

539 BCE Cyrus the Great (founder of the Persian Empire) enters the capital of Babylon and allows Jews to return to their land.

1810 Sara ‘Saartjie’ Baartman allegedly signs a contract that allows her to be taken to England and Ireland to work as a domestic servant, and be exhibited for entertainment. The truth is that she was illiterate and unlikely to have understood any such contract. Instead, she was treated like a circus animal and paraded before curious gawkers. She died in Europe, aged 26. Her remains were returned to South Africa in 2002.

1857 The monthly mail shipping line between England and the Cape Colony starts.

1863 Eighteen countries meet in Geneva and agree to form the International Red Cross. 1873 The Natal colonial government organises an expeditionary force against rebellious Amahlubi leader, Langalibalele. After first defeating the British, he is later captured and banished to Robben Island.

1905 Hendrik Witbooi, chief of the Nama, dies after being fatally wounded in a skirmish with the Germans near Keetmanshoop.

1969 The first computer-to-computer link is established – the precursor to today’s internet. | THE HISTORIAN