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Statue of Haile Selassie unveiled at African Union

Haile Selassie - Level 4

The African Union (AU) has put a statue of Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie I in its headquarters. Selassie was king from 1930 to 1974. The statue is for his role in creating the Organization of African Union (OAU). His vision was for African countries free from colonialism. He said: "May this union last 1,000 years." The OAU lasted for 39 years. It changed into the AU in 2002. The AU continues Selassie's vision of achieving greater African unity.

Emperor Selassie was born in 1892. His family's roots go back 3,000 years to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. He was an important figure in Ethiopian history. He was a skilled politician and helped Ethiopia become a charter member of the U.N. Haile Selassie is a big part of the Rastafarian religion. Rastafarians believe he is a messiah who came to Earth to spread God's word. The 1973 famine in Ethiopia led to his eventual removal from power.

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Haile Selassie - Level 5

The African Union (AU) has unveiled a statue of Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie I at its headquarters in Ethiopia's capital city. Selassie was King of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. The statue was to recognize his role in the creation of the Organization of African Union (OAU) in 1963. His vision was to free all African countries from colonialism and create independent countries in Africa. He said: "May this union last 1,000 years." The OAU lasted for 39 years before it changed into the AU in 2002. The AU continues Selassie's vision of achieving greater unity between African nations.

Emperor Haile Selassie I was born in 1892. His family traced its roots back 3,000 years to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. He was an influential figure in modern Ethiopian history. He was a skilled politician on the international stage and helped lead Ethiopia to become a charter member of the U.N. Ethiopia was never colonized. Haile Selassie is a big part of the Rastafarian religion. Around one million Rastafarians consider him as a messiah who came to Earth to spread the word of God. The 1973 famine in Ethiopia led to his eventual removal from power.

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Haile Selassie - Level 6

The African Union (AU) has unveiled a statue of Ethiopia's Emperor Haile Selassie I at its headquarters in Ethiopia's capital city Addis Ababa. The emperor served as King of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. The statue was created in recognition of the role Haile Selassie played in the creation of the Organization of African Union (OAU) in 1963. He had a vision to free all African countries from colonialism and create strong and free independent countries on the continent. Speaking at the inauguration of the OAU, he said: "May this union last 1,000 years." The OAU lasted for 39 years before it changed into the African Union in 2002. The AU continues Haile Selassie's vision of achieving greater unity between African nations.

Emperor Haile Selassie I was born in 1892 into an Ethiopian family that traced its roots back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba three thousand years ago. He was a highly influential figure in contemporary Ethiopian history. He was a skilled politician on the international stage during a time of great turmoil. He helped lead Ethiopia to become a charter member of the United Nations. Ethiopia remained a country that was never colonized. Haile Selassie is revered in the Rastafarian religion. Around one million Rastafarians around the world consider him as a messiah who came to Earth to spread the word of God. The 1973 famine in Ethiopia led to his eventual removal from the throne.

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