1900, 11 February
British invasion of the Orange Free State begins when almost 50,000 men and 170 guns cross the border from Modder River and Graspan to a water-rich farm at Ramdam.
1935, 11 February
League of Nations debates the border dispute between Italy and Ethiopia, whilst Mussolini prepares to ship out 35,000 troops to East Africa.
1977, 11 February
Lieutenant-Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam becomes Ethiopia's head of state. Mengistu, head of the Provisional Armed Forces Committee or Dergue (Shadow) has instigated the "Red Terror" against competing Marxist groups – killing and torturing students (several children are shot for wearing school uniforms) and intellectuals.
1990, 11 February
Nelson Mandela is released from Victor Verster prison, near Cape Town, after 27 years incarceration.
