ON THIS DAY JULY 1

1907 The Orange River Colony, known as the Orange Free State, is granted self-government by the British. Today it’s just Free State.

1908 SOS is adopted as the international distress signal.

1910 The Union of South Africa becomes a dominion (with a degree of self governance).

1916 On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 19 000 British soldiers are killed.

1933 Nazi Germany declares that married women shouldn’t work.

1938 The SA Press Association (Sapa) – forerunner of African News Agency (ANA) – is established to facilitate the sharing of news.

1944 At least 2 500 people are killed in London and south-east England by flying bombs (V1 rockets, or ‘doodlebugs’).

1962 Burundi & Rwanda gain independence from Belgium.

1979 Sony introduces the Walkman, the first portable cassette player, which – like the iPod – revolutionises how we listen to music.

2002 The International Criminal Court is established to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.