Zviad Gamsakhurdia, a prominent Georgian dissident and nationalist leader, became the first President of the Republic of Georgia on April 9, 1991, following the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. His presidency was marked by both triumphs and challenges, shaping the early years of Georgia’s independence. Gamsakhurdia, born on March 31, 1939, in the village of...
Dawda Kairaba Jawara was the first President of Gambia, serving from 1970 to 1994. Background and History: Born on May 16, 1924, in Barajally, Gambia. Belonged to the Mandinka ethnic group, the largest ethnic group in Gambia. Received his early education at Methodist Boys’ High School in Bathurst (now Banjul). Studied veterinary science at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Worked as a...
The first President of Gabon was Léon M’ba, who served from 1960 to 1967. M’ba was born on February 9, 1902, in Libreville, Gabon. He was the son of a Fang chief and a Mpongwe mother. M’ba was educated in Gabon and France, and he worked as a teacher and journalist before entering politics. In 1956, M’ba founded the Gabonese Democratic Bloc (BDG), a political party that...
Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, better known as Napoleon III, was the first President of France, serving from 1848 to 1852 and then as Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870. He was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, the famous French emperor, and was born in Paris. Background and History: Born: April 20, 1808, in Paris, France Parents: King Louis Bonaparte (former King of Holland) and Hortense de...
Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg (January 28, 1865 – September 22, 1952) was the first President of Finland, serving from 1919 to 1925. He was a lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the establishment of the Finnish Republic. Ståhlberg was born in Suomussalmi, Oulu Province, Grand Duchy of Finland (now part of Russia). He graduated from the University of Helsinki in 1889 with a degree in...
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (4 May 1920 – 18 May 2004) was the first President of Fiji, serving from 1987 to 1993 and again from 1994 to 2000. He was also the first Prime Minister of Fiji, serving from 1967 to 1987. Mara was a member of the Fijian chiefly class and played a leading role in the country’s independence movement. He was born in Somosomo, Taveuni, Fiji, to Ratu Edward Cakobau and Adi...
The first President of Ethiopia was Mengistu Haile Mariam, who served from 1974 to 1991. Background and History: Mengistu Haile Mariam was born on May 21, 1937, in Wolaita, Ethiopia. He joined the Ethiopian Army at a young age and rose through the ranks quickly. In 1974, he became the leader of a military coup that overthrew Emperor Haile Selassie and established a military government. Ethnicity:...
Sobhuza II, born on July 22, 1899, was the first President of Eswatini, reigning from 1967 until his death in 1982. He was also known as Ngwenyama, meaning “Lion King,” which signifies his status as the Paramount Chief of the Swazi people. Background and History: Sobhuza II was born into royalty as the son of King Bhunu and Queen Lomawa Ndwandwe. He ascended to the throne in 1921 at...
The first President of Estonia was Konstantin Päts, who served from 1938 to 1940. Konstantin Päts was born in Tahkuranna, Saaremaa, Estonia, on February 23, 1874. He was the son of a farmer and attended the University of Tartu, where he studied law. Päts was active in politics from a young age and served as a member of the Estonian Provincial Assembly from 1905 to 1917. Following Estonia’s...
The first President of Eritrea was Isaias Afwerki. Born February 2, 1946, in Asmara, Eritrea, Afwerki’s background is rooted in the Eritrean struggle for independence from Ethiopia. He belongs to the Tigrayan ethnic group, one of the largest ethnic groups in Eritrea. Afwerki’s journey to the presidency began in the 1960s when he joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), a rebel...
