South Africa united under Britain

Colonization of South Africa began early in the 18th century by the Dutch, and their rule was only solid until gold and diamonds were discovered in the region. Britain, who gained control over part of the region during the Napoleonic Wars, encouraged migration to the region to develop the mines, stirring up conflict with the early Dutch settlers. The result of the second Anglo-Boer war and the solidification of all South African republics under British rule.

On this day, September 20, in 1909 Britain passed the South Africa Act, creating a unifying government and a constitution for South Africa. What before consisted of a handful of British colonies and the Dutch-settled South African Republic, Orange Free State and Transvaal, became one country.

The Act kept the former republics as provinces of South Africa, all under the rule of South African monarch representing the British crown. The monarch would be assisted and advise by the Prime Minister, selected by a parliamentary system much like the one in Britain. And the Act also established Dutch along with English as the official — and equal — languages of the land.