Hans Remembers- Monday January 12, 1970- 50 years ago today.

• The Nigerian Civil War which lasted for 32 months finally ends when Biafran forces under Philip Effiong surrendered to General Yakubu Gowon. An estimated 45,000 to 100,000 military died during this war – and 2 million civilians died of famine.

• In Australia Cheryl Grimmer a three year old girl was kidnapped in Wollongong, New South Wales. 47 years later a suspect was arrested based on a confession but the charges would be later dropped when a judge ruled that the confession could not be admitted into evidence at the trial.

• The first commercial flight on the new Boeing 747 takes place when a chartered Pan American Airways flight goes from New York City to London.

• Ever hear of a gravediggers strike? One started on this day in New York City and parts of Long Island and Westchester County New York. The workers provided services to 44 cemeteries- the only exception that was made during the strike was the burial of U.S. servicemen killed in Vietnam and for Orthodox Jewish ceremonies which needed to take place within 24 hours of death. By the time the strike ends on March 8- between 8000 and 15,000 bodies had gone unburied in the two months of the strike.

• Born on this day Zack de la Rocha lead singer for Rage Against The Machine- he was born in Long Beach, California- 50 years ago today.