On This Day

Hundreds march through Nigerian capital calling for the release of schoolgirls abducted by Islamic militants, Boko Haram

Hundreds march through Nigerian capital calling for the release of schoolgirls abducted by Islamic militants, Boko Haram, who oppose Western education

The Boko Haram insurgency began in July 2009, when the militant Islamist and jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria. The conflict is taking place within the context of long-standing issues of sectarian conflict between Nigeria's Muslim Sunni and Shia population. The fight between the Christian and Muslim farmers and herders fight soon escalated into a bigger war. Boko Haram’s ultimate aim is to establish an ISIL Province in the region.

Boko Haram's initial uprising failed, and its leader Mohammed Yusuf was killed by the Nigerian government. He began the group in the year 2002, with a view of opposing western education with his followers.

Historical Significance

The Boko Haram insurgency began in July 2009, when the militant Islamist and jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria.

Events Before

  1. 10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

    10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola

  2. Calcium deposits are discovered on Mars by NASA's Curiosity rover

    Curiosity is a Mars rover that is exploring Gale crater and Mount Sharp on Mars as part of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission.

  3. Lance Armstrong admits to doping in all seven of his Tour de France victories

    Lance Edward Armstrong (né Gunderson; born September 18, 1971) is an American former professional road racing cyclist.

  4. Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation effective February 28, becoming the first pope to resign since 1415

    The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI took effect on 28 February 2013 at 20:00 Roman-Vatican Time, following Benedict XVI's announcement of the same on 11 February.

  5. North Korea allegedly conducts its third nuclear test, claiming it is a nuclear device that can be weaponized

    North Korea allegedly conducts its third nuclear test, claiming it is a nuclear device that can be weaponized

Events After

  1. Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone

    Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone

  2. 17-year-old Lydia Ko of New Zealand becomes the youngest golfer in men's or women's golf history to be ranked No. 1 in t

    17-year-old Lydia Ko of New Zealand becomes the youngest golfer in men's or women's golf history to be ranked No. 1 in the world

  3. Marvin Gaye's family wins a record $7.3 million lawsuit for music copyright infringement against Robin Thicke, Pharrell

    Marvin Gaye's family wins a record $7.3 million lawsuit for music copyright infringement against Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I.

  4. TV personality Kris Jenner and athlete Bruce Jenner divorce after 13 years of marriage

    Caitlyn Marie Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, is an American media personality and retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete. Jenner played college football for the Graceland...

  5. Barack Obama and Raúl Castro meet in Panama, the first meeting of US and Cuban heads of state since the Cuban Revolution

    Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz is a Cuban politician and general who served as the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, the most senior position in the one-party communist state, from 2011 to...

More from the 2010s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 1, 2014?
The Boko Haram insurgency began in July 2009, when the militant Islamist and jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria. The conflict is taking place within the context of long-standing issues of sectarian conflict between Nigeria's Muslim Sunni and Shia population. The fight between the Christian and Muslim farmers and herders fight soon escalated into a bigger war.
Why is Hundreds march through Nigerian capital calling for the release of schoolgirl... significant?
The Boko Haram insurgency began in July 2009, when the militant Islamist and jihadist rebel group Boko Haram started an armed rebellion against the government of Nigeria.

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