Today in History, 31 August: Wits protest, Myrtle Witbooi and Trinidad independence

Events on 31 August include a major anti-apartheid student protest in Johannesburg, the birth of South African labour organiser Myrtle Witbooi and the independence of Trinidad and Tobago.

1947: Myrtle Witbooi is born

Myrtle Witbooi was born in Genadendal in the Western Cape on 31 August 1947. She became a domestic worker in Cape Town and later helped organise workers who were largely excluded from labour protection.

Witbooi went on to lead South African domestic-worker organisations and became the founding president of the International Domestic Workers Federation. She remained an important voice in the campaign for decent work until her death in 2023.

1962: Trinidad and Tobago becomes independent

Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Britain on 31 August 1962. The Caribbean state adopted its own constitution and became a sovereign country, with Eric Williams serving as its first prime minister after independence.

The date remains the country's Independence Day and is marked as a national public holiday.

1989: Wits students revive restricted organisations

On 31 August 1989, students at the University of the Witwatersrand held a large rally and announced the revival of four student organisations that had been restricted by the apartheid government.

South African History Online records that police broke up the rally. The protest took place during a period of growing defiance of state restrictions and political mobilisation ahead of South Africa's democratic transition.

1997: Diana dies in Paris

Diana, Princess of Wales, died in Paris on 31 August 1997 after a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel. Her death prompted widespread public mourning in Britain and around the world.

The crash also killed her companion, Dodi Fayed, and driver Henri Paul. Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones survived.

These events span labour organising, independence, resistance to apartheid restrictions and a moment that drew global attention. Each remains part of the historical record associated with 31 August.