1975 - Guinea-Bissau’s Amílcar Cabral Honored Posthumously

On May 20, 1975, Amílcar Cabral, revolutionary leader of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, was posthumously honored by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) for his role in African liberation. Cabral, assassinated in 1973, had led the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) in a fierce anti-colonial war against Portuguese rule. His strategic genius and philosophical depth made him a revered figure in Pan-African circles. He emphasized culture as a weapon of resistance and called for unity across Africa’s diverse ethnic lines. The May 20 recognition helped immortalize Cabral’s legacy on the international stage. It is a date that represents intellectual and armed resistance, and it affirms how Black liberation movements across the world are connected through shared visions of self-rule, dignity, and justice. Cabral’s work continues to inspire decolonization efforts globally.