Nyerere Timeline

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13APR

Nyerere is Born

Kambarage Nyerere was born on 13th April 1922 in Butiama town, Mara Region, near the shores of Lake Victoria, north of Tanganyika His father had 22 wives and Julius was one of 26...

28JAN

Start primary school

He began primary school in Musoma at the age of 12. He obtained his secondary education at the Tabora Government Secondary School in 1937

20OCT

Attends Makerere University

At the age of 22, and between 1943 and 1945 Nyerere attended Makerere University, in Uganda's capital Kampala, obtaining a teaching diploma.

Tanganyika Welfare Association Founded

Here he founded the Tanganyika Welfare Association, which eventually merged with the Tanganyika African Association (TAA), which had been formed in 1929.

Teaching at Saint Mary's

Nyerere received his teaching Diploma in 1947. He returned to Tanganyika and worked for 3 years at St. Mary's Secondary School in Tabora, where he taught Biology and English.

21FEB

Master of Arts from University of Edinburgh

In 1949 he got a government scholarship to attend the University of Edinburgh and was the first Tanganyikan to study at a British university. He obtained an undergraduate...

Teaching at St. Francis' College

Nyerere took a position teaching History, English and Kiswahili, at St. Francis' College, near Dar es Salaam.

24JAN

Nyerere marries Maria Gabriel Magige

A portrait of former Tanzanian president Mwalimu Julius Nyerere wife, Maria Gabriel Magige. They got married in January 24th 1953.

Elected President of TAA

In 1953 he was elected president of the TAA, a civic organisation dominated by civil servants, that he had been involved with while a student at Makerere University.

TAA transformed into TANU

In 1954 he transformed TAA into the politically oriented Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). TANU's main objective was to achieve national sovereignty for Tanganyika. A campaign to register...

Addresses UNO on Tanganyika

In 1955 TANU sent its president,Julius Nyerere, to the United Nations Organisation in New York where he reminded the Trusteeship Council of its responsibility towards Tanganyika...

Resigns from teaching in 1955

In 1955 Nyerere resigns from teaching and devote himself entirely to politics

Chief Minister in the Colonial Legistative Council

Nyerere entered the Colonial Legislative council following the country's first elections in 1958-59 and was elected chief minister....

Enter the state house

Nyerere with family at the state house in Dar-es-Salaam in 1961

09DEC

Prime Minister Julius Nyerere with English Royalty Visiting - Prince Philip

Prime Minister Julius Nyerere of newly independent Tanganyika watches as Royal Air Force planes fly over the capital in a salute to the new nation...

09DEC

Nyerere Become first prime Minister of independent Tanganyika

In 1961, Tanganyika was granted self governance and Nyerere became its first Prime Minister on 9 December 1961. A year later Nyerere...

09DEC

1962 - Become first President of the Republic of Tanganyika

On 22 January 1962, Nyerere resigned from the premiership to concentrate on drawing up a republican constitution and to prepare TANU...

1963 - Visit to USA

The President of Tanganyika, Julius K. Nyerere, left, on his official visit to the Kennedy White House in 1963.

1963 - Nyerere as one of OAU founders

Nyerere, along with several other Pan-Africanist leaders, founded the Organisation of African Unity in 1963.

1963-1970 Chancellor of the University of East Africa

1963-1970 Chancellor of the University of East Africa, later the University of Dar-es-Salaam

12JAN

1964 - Becames President of the United Republic when Tanganyika and Zanzibar were united

Nyerere was instrumental in the union between the islands of Zanzibar and the mainland Tanganyika to form Tanzania, after a...

1965 - Nyerere sworn in for his second term as President of Tanzania

Nyerere is sworn in for his second term as President after the 1965 one party elections: "We reject the idea that only a two-party..."

1966 - Nyerere with Freedom Torch, 12th Aniversary of TANU

President Nyerere holds aloft the burning Freedom Torch presented to him by Tanzanian Youths at the celebrations...

05FEB

1967 - Arusha Declaration

The Arusha Declaration was made by Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere on 5 February 1967, outlining the principles of Ujamaa (Nyerere's vision of socialism) to develop...

01DEC

1967 - Nyerere on the formation of East African Community

The Three key figures in the federation saga: Milton Obote (President of Uganda), Jomo Kenyatta (President of Kenya) and Julius Nyerere (President of Tanzania)

22DEC

1967 - Nyerere with African Head of State at OAU Summit

The Photo show Head of State as follows Front Row (left to right): African Leaders At Conference...

31JUL

1969 - Mwalimu Nyerere Meets with Pope Paul VI

Nyerere Travelled to Uganda to meet with Pope Paul VI in July 1969

15OCT

1969 - Receives Memorial Plaque of the City of Belgrade

Yogoslavia - Memorial Plaque of the City of Belgrade (15th October 1969)

25JAN

1971 - Nyerere in India

State Visit to India 1971 Two Monuments - Mwalimu Julius K.Nyerere, President of Tanzania, at Taj Mahal, Agra...

11SEP

1974 - Receives Freedom of the City of Georgetown

Guyana - Freedom of the City of Georgetown (11th September 1974)

21SEP

1974 - Receives Order of Jose Marti, Cuba

Havana, Cuba - Order of Jose Marti (21st September 1974)

24APR

1975 - Receives The Great Collar of the Aztec Eagle, Mexico

Mexico - The Great Collar of the Aztec Eagle (24th April 1975)

17JAN

1976 - Receives Nehru Award for International Understanding, India

India - Nehru Award for International Understanding (17th January 1976)

19SEP

1976 - Receives Guinea Bissau - Medal of Amilcar Cabral

Guinea Bissau - Medal of Amilcar Cabral (19th September 1976)

14NOV

1978 - Nyerere Sends Tanzanian Troops into Uganda to depose Idi Amin

Uganda–Tanzania War The Uganda-Tanzania War (usually referred to in Uganda as the Liberation War )...

01AUG

1979 - The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

Front row L-R: Thatcher (Great Britain), Tuipelehare (Tonga), Khama (Botswana), Yew (Singapore), Banda (Malawi), Nyerere (Tanzania)...

21DEC

1979 - Helps shapes peace plan for Rhodesia / Zimbabwe

On 21 December 1979, an agreement was signed in London that set in motion...

30MAR

1981 - State Visit to India

Swagatam - Julius Nyerere, along with Maria Nyerere, First Lady of Tanzania, and Dr.Salim Ahmed Salim, then Foreign Minister of Tanzania, being received...

22FEB

1982 - Receives New Delhi, India - Third World Prize

New Delhi, India - Third World Prize (22nd February 1982)

07SEP

1983 - Receives Maputo, Mozambique - Eduardo Mondlane Medal

Maputo, Mozambique - Eduardo Mondlane Medal (7th September 1983)

03OCT

1983 - Receives Geneva - Nansen Medal for Services to the Cause of Refugees

Geneva - Nansen Medal for Services to the Cause of Refugees (3rd October 1983).

26MAR

1985 - Receives Honorary Doctoral of Law from Ljubliana

Ljubliana (Yugoslavia) - Honorary Doctoral of Law (26 March 1985)

28MAR

1985 - Receives Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Pyongyang

Pyongyang University (Korea) - Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy (28th March 1985)

1985 - Mwalimu Nyerere retired from the presidency

In 1985 Nyerere stepped down from the presidency, in favor of Ali Hassan Mwinyi. But but remained chairman of CCM until 1990.

20AUG

1985 - Nyerere in India

'This is The Way' - Julius Nyerere with Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, and K.Natvar Singh, then Minister of State for...

20SEP

1985 - Receives Degree of Doctor Of Philosophy

Havana University of Cuba (Cuba) - Honorary Degree of Doctor Of Philosophy (30th Sept 1985)

20SEP

1985 - Receives Honorary Degree for Diplomacy from State House Dar-es-Salaam

The State House Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)...

03OCT

1985 - Receives Geneva - Luanda, Angola - Order of Augstino Neto Award

Luanda, Angola - Order of Augstino Neto Award

21AUG

1986 - Receives Luanda Angola - SADCC Sir Seretse Khama Medal

Luanda Angola - SADCC Sir Seretse Khama Medal

13SEP

1986 - Receives Honorary Degree of Literature Honoris Causa

University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) - Honorary Degree of Literature Honoris Causa

07SEP

1987 - Receives Dodoma, Tanzania - Lenin Peace Prize

Dodoma, Tanzania - Lenin Peace Prize

16FEB

1988 - Receives Dodoma, Tanzania - Juliot Curie Gold Medal

Dodoma, Tanzania - Juliot Curie Gold Medal

1990 - Nyerere Resign as the head of the ruling party CCM

Nyerere Resign as the head of the ruling party CCM

03SEP

1990 - J.K. Nyerere with Pope John Paul II, Tanzania

During Pope John Paul II visit to Tanzania

12JUL

1991 - Receives Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Philippines

Universities of Philippines (Philippines) - Honorary Doctorate of Humanities

12OCT

1992 - Receives Honorary Doctor Degree from Manila

Manila (Philippines) - Honorary Doctor Degree

21OCT

1992 - Receives Paris, France - UNESCO Simon Boliver Prize

Paris, France - UNESCO Simon Boliver Prize

21OCT

1992 - Receives Paris, France - UNESCO Simon Boliver Prize

Paris, France - UNESCO Simon Boliver Prize

29JAN

1993 - Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws from Makerere

Makerere University Kampala (Uganda) - Honorary Doctor of Laws

21FEB

1994 - Receives TANAPA / Gold Medal of Outstanding

Arusha, Tanzania - TANAPA / Gold Medal of Outstanding on Wildlife and Environmental Conservation

27JAN

1995 - Receives New, Delhi, India - Gandhi Peace Prize

New, Delhi, India - Gandhi Peace Prize

10MAR

1996 - Receives Abujua, Nigeria - Nnandi Azikiwe Award

Abujua, Nigeria - Nnandi Azikiwe Award (10th March 1996)

1996 - Mwalimu Nyerere as a chief mediator in the Burundi conflict

Mwalimu Nyerere as a chief mediator in the Burundi conflict

15MAR

1997 - Receives Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa

Open University of Tanzania (Tanzania) - Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa

17MAY

1997 - Receives Doctor of Laws for Claremont graduate School California

Claremont University Centre (United States of America) - Doctor of Laws...

28NOV

1997 - Receives Doctor of Philosophy from Honoris Causa

Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania) - Doctor of Philosophy Honoris Causa

23APR

1998 - Honorary Doctor of Law from Honoris Causa

University of Fort Hare (South Africa) - Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa

05MAY

1998 - Honorary Degrees of Law from Lincon University

Lincoln University (United States of America) - Honorary Degree of Laws

14OCT

1999 - Nyerere died in a London hospital of leukaemia

Former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere has died - one of the most influential African statesmen of his generation. The 77-year-old statesman...

21OCT

1999 - Nyerere's Funeral

Dar es Salaam - Thousands of mourners, including foreign dignitaries, packed the Dar es Salaam national stadium on Thursday morning to pay their last respects to Julius Nyerere, the founding father...

28DEC

1999 - Receives Harvard University - World Map Globe

Harvard University - World Map Globe (28th December 1999)

2000 - Receives CCM, Tanzania - The Century Statesman

CCM, Tanzania - The Century Statesman

25APR

2005 - Receives Zimbabwe’s highest medal, the Royal Order of Munhumutapa

Nyerere awarded Zimbabwe’s highest medal in Zimbabwe has posthumously awarded the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, with the Royal Order...

Overview

Julius Kambarage Nyerere (13 April 1922 – 14 October 1999) was a Tanzanian politician who served as the leader of Tanzania, and previously Tanganyika, from 1960 until his retirement in 1985.

Born in Tanganyika to Nyerere Burito (1860–1942), Chief of the Zanaki, Nyerere was known by the Swahili honorific Mwalimu or ‘teacher’, his profession prior to politics. He was also referred to as Baba wa Taifa (Father of the Nation). Nyerere received his higher education at Makerere University in Kampala and the University of Edinburgh. After he returned to Tanganyika, he worked as a teacher. In 1954, he helped form the Tanganyika African National Union.

When Tanganyika was granted responsible government in 1960, Nyerere became Chief Minister. He led Tanganyika to independence a year later and became the new country’s first Prime Minister. The country became a republic in 1962, with Nyerere as the country’s first first president. During the first years, Nyerere created a single-party system and used “preventive detention” to eliminate trade unions and opposition. In 1964, Tanganyika became politically united with Zanzibar and was renamed Tanzania, with Nyerere as president of the unified country. He was the sole candidate for president in the unified country’s first election, in 1965, and was reelected unopposed every five years until his retirement in 1985.

In 1967, influenced by the ideas of African socialism, Nyerere issued the Arusha Declaration, which outlined his vision of ujamaa(“socialism” and “familyhood”; “not to be confused with the Swahili word Umoja which means “unity”), Ujamaa was a concept that came to dominate Nyerere’s policies. However, his policies led to economic decline, systematic corruption, and unavailability of goods. In the early 1970s, Nyerere ordered his security forces to forcibly transfer much of the population to collective farms and, because of opposition from villagers, often burned villages down. This campaign pushed the nation to the brink of starvation and made it dependent on foreign food aid.

In 1985, after more than two decades in power, he relinquished power to his hand-picked successor, Ali Hassan Mwinyi. Nyerere left Tanzania as one of the poorest, least developed, and most foreign aid-dependent countries in the world, although much progress in services such as health and education had nevertheless been achieved. As such, Julius Nyerere is still a controversial figure in Tanzania. He remained the chairman of the Chama Cha Mapinduzi for another five years until 1990. He died of leukaemia in London in 1999.

Source: Julius Nyerere Website and wikipedia

Nyerere is Born

Start primary school

Attends Makerere University

Tanganyika Welfare Association Founded

Teaching at Saint Mary's

Master of Arts from University of Edinburgh

Teaching at St. Francis' College

Nyerere marries Maria Gabriel Magige

Elected President of TAA

TAA transformed into TANU

Addresses UNO on Tanganyika

Resigns from teaching in 1955

Chief Minister in the Colonial Legistative Council

Enter the state house

Prime Minister Julius Nyerere with English Royalty Visiting - Prince Philip

Nyerere Become first prime Minister of independent Tanganyika

1962 - Become first President of the Republic of Tanganyika

1963 - Visit to USA

1963 - Nyerere as one of OAU founders

1963-1970 Chancellor of the University of East Africa

1964 - Becames President of the United Republic when Tanganyika and Zanzibar were united

1965 - Nyerere sworn in for his second term as President of Tanzania

1966 - Nyerere with Freedom Torch, 12th Aniversary of TANU

1967 - Arusha Declaration

1967 - Nyerere on the formation of East African Community

1967 - Nyerere with African Head of State at OAU Summit

1969 - Mwalimu Nyerere Meets with Pope Paul VI

1969 - Receives Memorial Plaque of the City of Belgrade

1971 - Nyerere in India

1974 - Receives Freedom of the City of Georgetown

1974 - Receives Order of Jose Marti, Cuba

1975 - Receives The Great Collar of the Aztec Eagle, Mexico

1976 - Receives Nehru Award for International Understanding, India

1976 - Receives Guinea Bissau - Medal of Amilcar Cabral

1978 - Nyerere Sends Tanzanian Troops into Uganda to depose Idi Amin

1979 - The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

1979 - Helps shapes peace plan for Rhodesia / Zimbabwe

1981 - State Visit to India

1982 - Receives New Delhi, India - Third World Prize

1983 - Receives Maputo, Mozambique - Eduardo Mondlane Medal

1983 - Receives Geneva - Nansen Medal for Services to the Cause of Refugees

1985 - Receives Honorary Doctoral of Law from Ljubliana

1985 - Receives Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from Pyongyang

1985 - Mwalimu Nyerere retired from the presidency

1985 - Nyerere in India

1985 - Receives Degree of Doctor Of Philosophy

1985 - Receives Honorary Degree for Diplomacy from State House Dar-es-Salaam

1985 - Receives Geneva - Luanda, Angola - Order of Augstino Neto Award

1986 - Receives Luanda Angola - SADCC Sir Seretse Khama Medal

1986 - Receives Honorary Degree of Literature Honoris Causa

1987 - Receives Dodoma, Tanzania - Lenin Peace Prize

1988 - Receives Dodoma, Tanzania - Juliot Curie Gold Medal

1990 - Nyerere Resign as the head of the ruling party CCM

1990 - J.K. Nyerere with Pope John Paul II, Tanzania

1991 - Receives Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Philippines

1992 - Receives Honorary Doctor Degree from Manila

1992 - Receives Paris, France - UNESCO Simon Boliver Prize

1992 - Receives Paris, France - UNESCO Simon Boliver Prize

1993 - Receives Honorary Doctor of Laws from Makerere

1994 - Receives TANAPA / Gold Medal of Outstanding

1995 - Receives New, Delhi, India - Gandhi Peace Prize

1996 - Receives Abujua, Nigeria - Nnandi Azikiwe Award

1996 - Mwalimu Nyerere as a chief mediator in the Burundi conflict

1997 - Receives Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa

1997 - Receives Doctor of Laws for Claremont graduate School California

1997 - Receives Doctor of Philosophy from Honoris Causa

1998 - Honorary Doctor of Law from Honoris Causa

1998 - Honorary Degrees of Law from Lincon University

1999 - Nyerere died in a London hospital of leukaemia

1999 - Nyerere's Funeral

1999 - Receives Harvard University - World Map Globe

2000 - Receives CCM, Tanzania - The Century Statesman

2005 - Receives Zimbabwe’s highest medal, the Royal Order of Munhumutapa

Overview

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