Cape Town Lately looks at the historic moments that happened on 20 April, which includes South Africa’s new national anthem and flag, horrific SA Boeing crash, Michael Jordan’s basketball heroics and what happened on Adolf Hitler’s 56th birthday.

SOUTH AFRICA SINGS NEW TUNE: In terms of section 248 (1) of the Interim 1994 Constitution, and acting on the advice of the Transitional Executive Council (TEC), former State President F W de Klerk issued a proclamation on 20 April 1994, providing for “Die Stem van Suid-Afrika” (the Call of South Africa) and “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika” (God bless Africa) to become the combined national anthem of the country. This proclamation, which was published in the Government Gazette, also provided for the adoption of the new national flag.

SA BOEING CRASH KILLS 127: On this day in 1968, Pretoria, a Boeing 707 of South African Airways (SAA), en route to London and only in use for seventeen days, crashed and exploded shortly after take off from Windhoek airport. 122 of the 129 people aboard were killed. Eight people were taken from the wreckage alive but eventually only five survived, one with only a broken hand.

https://youtu.be/gqaFSYuwi_M

MICHAEL JORDAN STARS ON COURT: On April 20, 1986, the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan scores 63 points in an NBA playoff game against the Boston Celtics, setting a post-season scoring record. Despite Jordan’s achievement, the Bulls lost to the Celtics in double overtime, 135-131. Boston swept the three-game series and went on to win the NBA championship.

https://youtu.be/h3-to7R2e44

ENEMIES ATTACK ON HITLER’S BIRTHDAY: On this day in 1945, allied bombers in Italy begin a three-day attack on the bridges over the rivers Adige and Brenta to cut off German lines of retreat on the peninsula. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler celebrates his 56th birthday as a Gestapo reign of terror results in the hanging of 20 Russian prisoners of war and 20 Jewish children. Of these, at least nine are under the age of 12. All of the victims had been taken from Auschwitz to Neuengamme, the place of execution, for the purpose of medical experimentation. Nine days later, Hitler delivered his last political testament.

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