Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein (Afrikaans for "fountain of flowers") is one of South Africa's three capital cities, along with Pretoria and Cape Town. Bloemfontein serves as the judicial capital, as well as the capital of the Free State province. The city's Sesotho name is Mangaung, meaning "the place where cheetahs dwell".

History

Historically an Afrikaner settlement, Bloemfontein was officially founded in 1846, and served from 1854 to 1902 as the capital of the Orange Free State.

Related Topics:
Afrikaner - Orange Free State

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A railway line was built in 1890 connecting Bloemfontein to Cape Town.

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In 1899, the city was the site of the Bloemfontein Conference, which failed to prevent the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War.

Related Topics:
1899 - Bloemfontein Conference - Anglo-Boer War

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J. R. R. Tolkien was born in the city on January 3 1892.

Related Topics:
J. R. R. Tolkien - January 3 - 1892

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On March 13, 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War, British forces captured the city and built a concentration camp here to house Boer women and children. The 28,000 women and children who died in this camp are paid homage by the National Women's Memorial, on the outskirts of the city.

Related Topics:
March 13 - 1900 - Anglo-Boer War - British - Concentration camp - Boer

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