The involvement of Southern Rhodesia in World War I began on 5 August 1914, when it learned that the United Kingdom had declared war on Germany a day earlier. The British territory of Southern Rhodesia provided over 8,000 soldiers to the British Army during the hostilities, including 1,720 officers. About two-thirds of these servicemen came from the country's white minority—about 40% of the colony's white men enlisted—and these fought primarily on the Western Front in Belgium and France (Rhodesian platoon pictured). Other Southern Rhodesian troops, including 2,500 black soldiers, took part in the South-West African and East African campaigns. Over 800 Southern Rhodesians of all races lost their lives on operational service. The colony's contributions played a part in the UK's decision to grant self- government in 1923, and remained prominent in the Rhodesian national consciousness for decades. Since 1980, when the country became Zimbabwe, the government has removed many memorial monuments and plaques from public view, regarding them as unwelcome vestiges of white minority rule and colonialism. The country's war dead today have no official commemoration, either there or overseas.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Rhodesia_in_World_War_I
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1278:
King Alfonso X of Castile was forced to abandon the Siege of Algeciras, the first of many on the city during the Spanish Reconquista. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Algeciras_(1278)
1600:
Scottish nobleman John Ruthven, 3rd Earl of Gowrie, died during a failed attempt to kidnap King James VI. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ruthven,_3rd_Earl_of_Gowrie
1864:
American Civil War: Rear Admiral David Farragut successfully led the Union fleet through a mine field to victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mobile_Bay
1916:
First World War: The British Empire's Sinai and Palestine Campaign began with a victory in the Battle of Romani. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Romani
2010:
War in Afghanistan: Ten foreign aid workers of the International Assistance Mission were killed by persons unknown in Kuran wa Munjan District of Badakhshan Province. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Badakhshan_massacre
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
dog days: 1. The days between early July and early September when Sirius (the Dog Star) rises and sets with the Sun. 2. Hot, lazy days 3. A period of inactivity, laziness, or stagnation. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dog_days
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war. --Wendell Berry https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Wendell_Berry