1936, 4 July
Despite Haile Selassie's call for the League of Nations to protect Abyssinia, the League decides to drop sanctions against Italy.
1940, 4 July - World War II: East Africa
British posts at Kassala and Gallabat, on the borders of Abysinnia (now Ethiopia), Eritrea, and Sudan, are attacked and captured by the Italian Northern Army under the command of the Duke of Acosta.
1942, 4 July - World War II: North Africa
British Commander-in-Chief (Middle East) Claude Auchinleck, believing General Erwin Rommel to have pushed to far with such limited resources (approximately 50 tanks and a total of 2,000 men) attempts to end the battle by throwing his forces at such weakly defended positions. Fortunately for Rommel he is warned by his 'radio intercept service'. Once the British forces are repulsed, he starts to evacuate his tanks, replacing them with Italian infantry. Battles continue for the next few days as Auchinleck attempts to move his troops to the south and catch Rommel's flank.
1979, 4 July
Ahmed Ben Bella is released in Algeria after being held for 14 years as a political prisoner.
1994, 4 July
President Mitterand is the first world leader to visit South Africa since the post Apartheid multi-racial government came to power.
