Events on April 8 in history

MV Dara (April 8, 1961)

A large explosion on board the MV Dara in the Persian Gulf kills 238.

The MV Dara was a Dubai-based passenger liner, built in 1948 by Barclay, Curle & Co. Ltd., a shipyard in Glasgow, Scotland. The 120-metre (390 ft), four-decked vessel travelled mostly between the Persian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent, carrying expatriate passengers who were employed in the nations of the Gulf.Dara sank in the Persian Gulf on 8 April 1961, as a result of a powerful explosion that caused the deaths of 238 of the 819 people on board at the time, including 19 officers and 113 crew. Another 565 people were rescued during an operation by a British Army tank landing craft, a number of ships of the Royal Navy, and several British and foreign merchant ships.

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Events on 1961

8 Jan

Charles de Gaulle
In France a referendum supports Charles de Gaulle's policies in Algeria.
16 Apr

Fidel Castro
In a nationally broadcast speech, Cuban leader Fidel Castro declares that he is a Marxist-Leninist and that Cuba is going to adopt Communism.
1 May

Fidel Castro
The Prime Minister of Cuba, Fidel Castro, proclaims Cuba a socialist nation and abolishes elections.
25 Jul

NATO
In a speech John F. Kennedy emphasizes that any attack on Berlin is an attack on NATO.
10 Aug

Agent Orange
First use in Vietnam War of the Agent Orange by the U.S. Army.

Events on April 8 in history

MV Dara (April 8, 1961)

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1961

Charles de Gaulle

Fidel Castro

Fidel Castro

NATO

Agent Orange