Historical Events on April

  • Syrian Civil War

    2013

    The Islamic State of Iraq enters the Syrian Civil War and begins by declaring a merger with the Al-Nusra Front under the name Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham

  • Soviet Union

    1991

    Georgia declares independence from the Soviet Union

  • Soviet Union

    1944

    Diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Soviet Union are established.

  • Thomas Jefferson

    1976

    The United States Treasury Department reintroduces the two-dollar bill as a Federal Reserve Note on Thomas Jefferson's 233rd birthday as part of the United States Bicentennial celebration.

  • Soviet Union

    1988

    In a United Nations ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, the Soviet Union signs an agreement pledging to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.

  • Hugo Chávez

    2002

    Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez returns to office two days after being ousted and arrested by the country's military.

  • Tiananmen Square protests of 1989

    1989

    Upon Hu Yaobang's death, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 begin in China.

  • Robert F. Kennedy

    1969

    Sirhan Sirhan is convicted of assassinating Robert F. Kennedy.

  • Flint water crisis

    2014

    The American city of Flint, Michigan switches its water source to the Flint River, beginning the ongoing Flint water crisis which has caused lead poisoning in up to 12,000 people, and 15 deaths from Legionnaires disease, ultimately leading to criminal indictments against 15 people, five of whom have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

  • Ethiopia

    1993

    Eritreans vote overwhelmingly for independence from Ethiopia in a United Nations-monitored referendum.

  • Pope Benedict XVI

    2005

    Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church taking the name Pope Benedict XVI.

  • European Union

    2005

    Bulgaria and Romania sign accession treaties to join the European Union.

  • Chernobyl disaster

    1986

    A nuclear reactor accident occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine), creating the world's worst nuclear disaster.

  • Tiananmen Square protests of 1989

    1989

    People's Daily publishes the April 26 Editorial which inflames the nascent Tiananmen Square protests

  • Chernobyl disaster

    1986

    The city of Pripyat as well as the surrounding areas are evacuated due to Chernobyl disaster.

  • Tiananmen Square protests of 1989

    1989

    The April 27 demonstrations, student-led protests responding to the April 26 Editorial, during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

  • Soviet Union

    1920

    Azerbaijan is added to the Soviet Union.

  • Muhammad Ali

    1967

    Vietnam War: Boxer Muhammad Ali refuses his induction into the United States Army and is subsequently stripped of his championship and license.

Famous Birthdays on April

Famous Deaths on April

March

May