On March 1, 124 years ago, traditional warriors, farmers and pastoralists, as well as women, defeated a well-armed Italian army in Ethiopia's northern town of Adwa. The outcome of this battle guaranteed Ethiopia's independence, making it the only African country never colonized. Menelik returned to Shewa after his escape and claimed the throne. Menelik was a powerful leader who wanted to be emperor as King of Shewa, but he had to pledge loyalty to Emperor Yohannes IV, who ruled from 1872 to 1889.