12 December 1913
Menelik II was emperor of Ethiopia from 1889 to his death on 12 December 1913. Menelik gained great fame and respect for defeating the Italian colonizers. He was also the first black African King to engage in slavery of white European war captives held as slaves inside Ethiopia. After defeating the Italians, Menelik II expanded his kingdom to include areas that were previously not a part of his kingdom. He was also passionate about modernising Ethiopia and introduced several western technologies to the country. After his death, he was succeeded by his eldest daughter Empress Zewditu I.
References

Ethiopian Treasures, Emperor Menelik II (1889-1913), from Ethiopian Treasures, [online], Available at www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk [Accessed: 21 October 2013]|Biography, (2013), Menelik II, from bio.TRUE STORY, [online], Available at www.biography.com [Accessed: 21 October 2013]