Historical Events
- Apr 7 Brazilian Emperor Dom Pedro abdicates, leaving his six-year old son, Dom Pedro II head of state as Prince Imperial
The Lewis Chess Pieces
Apr 11 The 12th century Lewis chess pieces are exhibited at the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, shortly after their rediscovery in a sand bank on the Scottish Isle of Lewis
- Apr 14 Soldiers marching on a bridge in Manchester, England, cause it to collapse.
Famous Birthdays
- Apr 4 Edward Cary Walthall, American Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Richmond, Virginia (d. 1898)
- Apr 8 Allard Pierson, Dutch theologist, philosopher and art historian, born in Amsterdam (d. 1896)
- Apr 12 Constantin Meunier, Belgian painter and sculptor, born in Etterbeek, Belgium (d. 1905)
- Apr 12 George B. Anderson, American Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Hillsborough, North Carolina (d. 1862)
Grenville M. Dodge
Apr 12 Grenville M. Dodge, American railroad engineer (Transcontinental Railroad-Union Pacific) and Major General (Union Army), born in Danvers, Massachusetts (d. 1916)