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  5. Union of South Africa

Events on May 31 in history

Union of South Africa
1961May, 31

The Union of South Africa becomes the Republic of South Africa.

The Union of South Africa (Dutch: Unie van Zuid-Afrika; Afrikaans: Unie van Suid-Afrika pronunciation ) was the historical predecessor to the present-day Republic of South Africa. It came into existence on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the Cape, the Natal, the Transvaal, and the Orange River colonies. It included the territories that were formerly a part of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State.

Following World War I, the Union of South Africa was a signatory of the Treaty of Versailles and became one of the founding members of the League of Nations. It was conferred the administration of South West Africa (now known as Namibia) as a League of Nations mandate. It became treated in most respects as another province of the Union, but it never was formally annexed.

Like Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Union of South Africa was a self-governing dominion of the British Empire. Its full sovereignty was confirmed with the Balfour Declaration 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931. It was governed under a form of constitutional monarchy, with the Crown being represented by a governor-general. The Union came to an end with the enactment of the constitution of 1961, by which it became a republic and left the Commonwealth.

References

  • Union of South Africa
  • Republic of South Africa

Choose Another Date

Events on 1961

  • 8Jan

    Charles de Gaulle

    In France a referendum supports Charles de Gaulle's policies in Algeria.
  • 16Apr

    Fidel Castro

    In a nationally broadcast speech, Cuban leader Fidel Castro declares that he is a Marxist-Leninist and that Cuba is going to adopt Communism.
  • 1May

    Fidel Castro

    The Prime Minister of Cuba, Fidel Castro, proclaims Cuba a socialist nation and abolishes elections.
  • 25Jul

    NATO

    In a speech John F. Kennedy emphasizes that any attack on Berlin is an attack on NATO.
  • 10Aug

    Agent Orange

    First use in Vietnam War of the Agent Orange by the U.S. Army.

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