Jackie Robinson Becomes First African American Player in MLB
In 1947, Jackie Robinson makes history by becoming the first African American player to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball, debuting for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson’s courage, skill, and resilience in the face of racial discrimination pave the way for integration in professional sports and inspire generations of athletes to overcome barriers and […]
Titanic Sinks
On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic, deemed “unsinkable,” tragically sinks after striking an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. The disaster results in the loss of over 1,500 lives, making it one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in history and sparking widespread changes in maritime safety regulations.
“Black Sunday” Devastates the Great Plains
On April 14, 1935, a devastating dust storm known as “Black Sunday” strikes the Great Plains during the Dust Bowl era, engulfing the region in darkness and wreaking havoc on farms and communities. The storm, fueled by severe drought and soil erosion caused by intensive farming practices, serves as a stark reminder of the environmental […]
Taft Becomes First U.S. President to Throw Out First Pitch at MLB Game
In 1910, President William Howard Taft makes history by becoming the first U.S. president to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game. Taft’s participation in the opening day tradition, during a game between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics, sets a precedent followed by presidents to this day, symbolizing […]
Abraham Lincoln is Shot by John Wilkes Booth
On April 14, 1865, tragedy strikes as actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth shoots President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln, beloved for his leadership during the Civil War and efforts to abolish slavery, succumbs to his injuries the following day, plunging the nation into mourning and altering the course of […]
First Nonstop Flight to North America From Europe
On April 13, 1928, history is made as aviators Captain Hermann Köhl, Major James Fitzmaurice, and Baron Ehrenfried Günther Freiherr von Hünefeld complete the first nonstop flight from Europe to North America. Departing from Baldonnel Aerodrome in Ireland, the intrepid crew navigates treacherous weather and technical challenges to land their Junkers W33 aircraft in Greenly […]
Colfax Massacre Occurs
On this day in history, the Colfax Massacre occurs in Colfax, Louisiana, as a violent confrontation erupts between white supremacist paramilitary groups and African American freedmen defending their right to vote. The massacre, one of the deadliest incidents of racial violence during Reconstruction, underscores the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equality in post-Civil […]
Thomas Jefferson is Born
On April 13, 1743, Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, is born in Shadwell, Virginia. Jefferson’s legacy as a statesman, philosopher, and founding father would profoundly shape the course of American history and democracy.
U.S. Embassy in Cambodia Evacuated
On April 12, 1975, the United States Embassy in Cambodia is evacuated as Khmer Rouge forces advance on the capital city of Phnom Penh during the Cambodian Civil War. The evacuation marks the end of American diplomatic presence in Cambodia and foreshadows the fall of the Cambodian government to the Khmer Rouge regime, which would […]
Martin Luther King Writes “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”
On this day in history, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, for participating in nonviolent protests against racial segregation. During his imprisonment, King pens his famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” a powerful and eloquent defense of civil disobedience and the struggle for racial justice that would become one […]