1922, 16 March
Egypt achieves independence under King Faud. (It had been declared a sovereign state by Britain on 28 February.)
1941, 16 March - World War II: East Africa
British troops land at Berbera, British Somaliland.
1946, 16 March
Ferhat Abbas, an Algerian nationalist leader, is released by the French authorities after one year in captivity.
1996, 16 March
Polling begins in Zimbabwe with President Robert Mugabe as the sole candidate.
