Today in History: South Sudan secedes and Nikola Tesla is born

South Sudan, the newest recognised country in the world was born today in 2011.

After years of civil conflicts in the Eastern African Sudan, a peace deal was struck in 2005 to guarantee the South’s autonomy and later independence.

Six years later in January 2011, an overwhelming 98.83% majority of the Southerners voted to approve secession.

A transition was followed which led to the July 9, 2011 declaration of independence.

South Sudan became the 54th African country and the 193rd country to be admitted to the United Nations Organisation.

Nikola Tesla

On this day in 1856, Nikola Tesla was born.

He was a Serbian-American engineer and inventor known for his futuristic contributions to engineering.

Tesla is also known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system.

However, his popularity reduced in the tech and engineering field, causing his admirer, Elon Musk to name his company after him, this revived the engineer’s name in the field.

Tesla Inc. was founded in 2003 and now designs high tech equipment.

Tesla has also popularized the electric car first released in 2008.

Source - Oswald Azumah