August 10th

On this day in 1585,the English Queen Elizabeth I, signed the Treaty of Nonsuch which aided the Netherlands, providing them with 5,000 foot soldiers, 1,000 cavalry and annual subsidy of 600,000 florins a year. All to help with the Siege of Antwerp. And for this help the Dutch offered the Queen the title "Governor General of the Province"; Brill and Flushing to England. This provoked the objection of the people of these lands. Well, Queen Elizabeth declined ( a very wise woman in politics) But, the Heads of the English troops did accept!
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS! One did not go against Queen Elizabeth wishes.

August 9th

Born this day in 1757, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton who was, "the wife of Alexander Hamilton: his defender and promoter of her husband's reputation."

On this day in 1956, the women in South Africa protested the "pass laws". These laws demanded that people over the age of 16 carry "passes". It was a way to control the movement of people, and keeping them out of restricted areas. This day women of all races took the streets in protest and to present a petition signed by over 200,000 to the Secretary.
During the March women sang the freedom song:
Wathint' abafazi, Strijdom!
wathint' abafazi,
wathint' imbokodo,
uza kufa!

[When] you strike the women,
you strike a rock,
you will be crushed [you will die]!

"abafazi, wathint' imbokodo" stands for Women's courage and strength in South Africa.

The 1950s saw passive resistance against Apartheid in South Africa. And the protests of both men and women continued which lead to the tragic Sharpeville Massacre.
Pass Laws were finally repealed in 1986.