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nDuringnancient times, Africans domesticated the camel and began tontrade—even crossing the great Sahara Desert to trade gold and ivorynand salt. One empire that grew up out of this trade was namedn“Warrior King,” or Ghana. This west-African empire grew wealthynand urban centers (cities) developed. Ghana’s warriors includedntrained archers and cavalry, which is soldiers mounted on horses.nCavalry had a huge advantage over foot soldiers because horses arenlarge, powerful, and fast, and the soldiers can wield their weaponsnfrom on high.
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nOfncourse, later on Europeans wanted to control Africa’s “Gold Coast,”nand Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Spanish forces built forts innGhana. Many wars were fought between the colonial powers and thennation-states of Western Africa. Eventually, the Gold Coast became anprotectorate of Britain, and on this date in 1957, Ghana finallyngained its independence.
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nFoundation Day on Norfolk Island
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nAlamo Day in Texas