Desmond Tutu was born on 7 October 1931 in Munsieville. A South African Anglican cleric and theologian, Tutu was one of the most prominent opponents of apartheid. As bishop of Johannesburg and then Archbishop of Cape Town, he campaigned for nonviolent resistance and international sanctions, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. After the end of apartheid he chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which heard testimony about human rights abuses from both victims and perpetrators. He coined the phrase Rainbow Nation to describe the new South Africa, and he remained an outspoken voice on global causes such as LGBT rights and climate change.
Before and after
- 8 August 1931Birth of Roger Penrose
- from 18 September 1931 to 27 February 1932Japanese invasion of Manchuria
- 18 September 1931Mukden incident
- 6 October 1931Birth of Riccardo Giacconi
- 7 October 1931Birth of Desmond Tutu
- 15 October 1931Birth of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- 18 October 1931Death of Thomas Edison
- 11 December 1931Founding of Commonwealth of Nations
- 1932Founding of Ligue 1
More in Art, literature & culture
- 1923Construction of Forbidden City
- 1925Rise of Art Deco
- 1935Construction of Cà Mau Airport
- 28 May 1937Construction of Golden Gate Bridge
- 21 September 1937Publication of The Hobbit
- 20 May 1940Construction of Auschwitz
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.