In 2011 South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan to become the Worlds newest country.
On the 1st of January 1956 Sudan, Africa’s largest country, gained its independence from joint governance by Egypt and the United Kingdom. The plans for their independence began in 1953 and gradually more control was given to the Sudanese people. However the majority of governmental infrastructure was based in the North of the country leaving the southern Sudan wanting more representation.
On the 18th of August 1955 Civil War broke out in the country and lasted for over 16 years. When the Sudan’s First Civil War finally ended on the 27th of March 1972, more than 500,000 people had died. The South Sudanese Autonomous Region was created shortly after the war had ended. But tensions still remained in the country and ignited the second Sudanese Civil War in April 1983. This second war continued until the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in January 2005, lasting 22 years and taking 1.5 million Sudanese lives.
The South Sudanese Government was formed shortly after the peace agreement was signed returning Southern autonomy. Between the 9th and 15th of January 2011, South Sudan held a referendum on complete independence from Sudan and with a 97% turn out of voters, 98.8% voted yes. On the 9th of July 2011 South Sudan gained its independence.
In 1982 the Maldives joined the Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1943 The Allied Powers begin “Operation Husky” – the invasion of Sicily.
Mussolini had lost many battles in its attempts to conquer lands which made Italy look weak while its allies had conquered so much. Their cowardly entrance, as Hitler saw it, into World War II on the 10th of June 1940 was bad enough but Hitler was rapidly loosing patients with his old hero. This was known to the Allies who decided to end the Italian contingent of the Axis powers. They knew one massive defeat would anger the Italian people enough to topple their dictator. The target they proposed was Sicily which they planned to attack on 9th of July 1943.
On the 11th of June 1943 successfully occupied the strategic Island of Pantelleria in “Operation Corkscrew”. The Allied Naval forces had been unable to dominate the Mediterranean due to the powerful Luftwaffe forces in the area. By removing the Luftwaffe’s use of their main airfields and radar on the Island Mediterranean Sea was once more accessible and operation Husky was free to go ahead.
The planned invasion of Sicily, or “Operation Husky” went ahead on the 9th of July Forces of Great Britain, the United States and Canada began the invasion from land, sea and air with 160,000 troops. On the night of the 9th of July British and US paratroopers were dropped onto the island and they quickly began causing as much havoc as possible. By the early hours the next day the amphibious forces began to land on the island, taking control of the port of Syracuse by the evening gave the allies a stronghold in Sicily. By the 17th of August the Allied numbers had grown to some 400,000 had captured the island in a major blow to Italian moral. On the 25th of July 1943 the fascist government met and voted to oust Mussolini, King Victor Emmanuel III had him removed from office and imprisoned. Hitler however still felt loyalty towards his old friend and had him rescued and placed him in the safety of German controlled North Italy.
