Barack Obama elected as United States’ first black president
Americans placed their faith in Barack Obama, turning their backs on a past of slavery and segregation and electing the first African-American to the US presidency.
World leaders
New Zealand’s prime minister Helen Clark formally apologizes to Samoa
New Zealand’s prime minister Helen Clark formally apologized for two incidents during the period of New Zealand’s administration: a failure in 1918 to quarantine the SS Talune, which carried the ‘Spanish ‘flu’ to Samoa.
Nelson Mandela, first black president of South Africa, is inaugurated
In his inaugural address, Mandela, who spent 27 years of his life as a political prisoner of the South African government, declared that “the time for the healing of the wounds has come.”
Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost and perestroika began the end of the Cold War
Gorbachev’s dual program of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) introduced profound changes in economic practice, internal affairs and international relations.
Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
As prime minister, she implemented policies that became known as Thatcherism. A Soviet journalist dubbed her the “Iron Lady”, a nickname that became associated with her uncompromising politics and leadership style.
U.S. President Jimmy Carter pardons all Vietnam War draft dodgers
On January 21, 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter grants an unconditional pardon to hundreds of thousands of men who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War.
Robert C. Weaver becomes first Black cabinet member in the U.S.
As HUD’s senior administrator, Weaver expanded affordable housing programs and, in 1968, advocated for the passage of the Fair Housing Act,
Mao Zedong reintroduces Traditional Chinese Medicine into Chinese health care system
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a style of traditional medicine based on more than 2,500 years of Chinese medical practice that includes various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.
Blaise Diagne becomes first black African elected to the French Chamber of Deputies
The Senegalese-French political leader was the first black Africa to hold a position in the French government.
José Batlle y Ordóñez brings a wide array of modern reforms to Uruguay
He was elected to the presidency for two terms, from 1903 until 1907 and from 1911 to 1915. He remains one of the most popular Uruguayan presidents. He is known for introducing unemployment compensation, eight-hour workdays, and universal suffrage, as well as free High School education.