This day in History August 16th
16 Aug 1900 South Africa Boer War
In preparation for war with Great Britain, the Boers had started importing vast quantities of food as early as 1898. Also, munitions were hoarded by those in the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. It appeared that some food was sent to other locations only to be secretly rerouted to the Boers.
16 Aug 1920 Ireland Fighting
Crowds around Dublin Castle tried to shoot their way in at nine o’clock at night. The source of the trouble began when the restive crowd spotted soldiers from the Lancaster fusiliers who they believed were guilty of murdering a boy. The military fired shots over the mob’s heads and a few shots were fired in return. Some soldiers came in trucks and a few were dragged off of the vehicles by the rioters. However, in the end, the mob broke up and the crisis was over.
16 Aug 1931 India Gandhi
After the doldrums of the world war, Mahatma Gandhi in India offered hope and inspiration to his own people and those around the world. He was empathetic and loyal to those living in poverty and would not participate in the caste system. Even so, wealthy Indians vied to entertain him. Gandhi sold all his possessions and gave them to the poor. His people called him “Mahatma” meaning “great soul.”
16 Aug 1945 Germany Carved Up By Allies
A defeated German Reich was carved up into 7 areas so that the allies – France, Britain, the U.S., and Russia could put troops to occupy it. One section of Germany was France’s responsibility and two sections each would go to the rest of the allies.
