1973 – Thomas Sankara Joins the Upper Volta Military

On May 29, 1973, a young Thomas Sankara joined the Upper Volta military (now Burkina Faso), beginning a journey that would transform him into one of Africa’s most revered revolutionary leaders. Trained in Madagascar, Sankara witnessed the effects of poverty and neocolonialism firsthand, shaping his radical vision for African liberation. A decade later, he would lead a peaceful coup and become president, launching sweeping reforms focused on anti-imperialism, women’s rights, and self-reliance. Sankara’s tenure, though brief, left a deep mark on Pan-African thought. His military enlistment date is historically significant—it marks the first step toward building a visionary leader who would defy global economic orthodoxy and reimagine sovereignty. May 29 stands as a symbolic day for African resistance, radical reform, and the enduring legacy of revolutionary leadership rooted in justice, dignity, and self-determination.