Today in African History: Today in 1964, Kenneth Kaunda is sworn in as the first president of the newly independent Zambia. Kenneth Kaunda, in full Kenneth David Kaunda (born April 28, 1924, Lubwa, near Chinsali, Northern Rhodesia [now Zambia]), led Zambia to independence in 1964 and served as the country’s president until 1991. Before independence, Kaunda led what he called “positive nonviolent action,” against the federation policy. The campaign led to Kaunda’s imprisonment and the British government modified the federation policy and eventually agreed to discard it. Kaunda was released from prison by the colonial government on Jan. 8, 1960. At the end of that month he was elected president of the United National Independence Party (UNIP). The UNIP’s success was attributed overwhelmingly to the leadership of Kaunda, and in 1964 Zambia was granted independence with Kaunda as its president. #Todayinafricanhistory
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 15:15:54 +0000