Herero uprising begins in German West Africa (Namibia)

The initial attacks in the revolt began on this day in 1904 and were successful, involving the killings of 123 persons, mostly German landowners. Samuel Maharero was a leader in the uprising, famously writing in a letter to Hendrik Witbooi, seeking alliance with the Nama chief, "Let us die fighting!" Two days later they captured the Waterberg military station. Although troops were immediately sent from Germany to put down the resistance, they fought using guerilla tactics successfully for almost a year. Although defeated in late 1904 it took the Germans until 1908 to fully re-establish authority over the territory. This war, and the extermination order issued by General Lothar von Trotha that followed its end, is considered by most historians to be the first genocide of the 20th century.