1909, 4 August
Following the murder of five French citizens, and four other Europeans, by a mob of 'Moorish fanatics', whilst working on harbour improvements, the French government has sent in its troops. An initial attempt to land at Casablanca was met with heavy fire from the town's batteries, so the French used its navel presence to bombard the town for 48 hours. Over 1,000 Moors were reported killed or wounded. Today, 2,000 French troops landed unopposed.
1940, 4 August – World War II: East Africa
British Somaliland is invaded by Italian troops from their bases in Abyssinia. General Godwin-Austin and his small garrison of British troops was unable to stop the Duke d'Aosta's 25,000 soldiers who swarmed across the border.
1971, 4 August
Malawian Ambassador to South Africa, Joe Kachingwe, is the first Black African statesman to be formally recognised by the Apartheid government in South Africa.
1976, 5 August
Former South African Student's Organisation official, Mapetla Mohapi, dies in custody.
1990, 5 August
US marines are sent into Liberia to rescue US citizens from the growing civil war.
