ON THIS DAY: 2 November 1930.

On this day in 1930, a spectacular ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ushered in a new chapter in African history. Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie I, taking his place as one of the most influential and enduring figures of the 20th century.

The coronation at St George’s Cathedral drew dignitaries and representatives from across the world. Haile Selassie inherited a nation determined to defend its independence at a time when much of Africa was under European colonial rule. Ethiopia stood as a powerful symbol of African sovereignty, pride and resistance.

But his legacy would reach far beyond Ethiopia's borders.

In 1936, following Italy's invasion of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie addressed the League of Nations in a remarkable appeal for international action against aggression. His warning about the dangers of unchecked invasion and the failure to defend collective security would resonate throughout the world.

He later became a founding figure in the Organisation of African Unity, established in 1963 to promote solidarity, independence and cooperation among African nations.

His influence also crossed oceans and generations. For Rastafari communities, particularly in Jamaica and across the African diaspora, Haile Selassie became a deeply revered spiritual figure and a powerful symbol of African identity, dignity and liberation.

His reign was not without controversy, and his rule ended in 1974 amid political upheaval. Yet his place in history remains significant, reflecting the complexities of leadership, colonialism, faith and the struggle for self-determination.