What Happened on April 1
Important Events
- 527 Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne
- 1748 Ruins of Pompeii rediscovered by Spaniard Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre
- 1952 Big Bang theory proposed in Physical Review by Alpher, Bethe & Gamow
- 1974 Ayatollah Khomeini calls for an Islamic Republic in Iran
- 1976 Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs found Apple Computer in the garage of Jobs' parents house in Cupertino, California
- 2001 Netherlands becomes the first country in the world to make same-sex marriage legal
April 1 in Film & TV
- 1930 "The Blue Angel" starring Marlene Dietrich in her breakthrough role premieres in Germany
April 1 in Music
April 1 in Sport
- 1992 NHL players begin first strike in 75-year history; 10 day action earns large playoff bonus increase, more control over licensing of their likenesses and changes to free agency system
Did You Know?
Clyde Barrow kills two young highway patrolmen, H. D. Murphy and Edward Bryant Wheeler, at the intersection of Route 114 near Grapevine, Texas. Bonnie Parker's role in the murders helps turn public perception against the gang for good
On April 1, 1934
Famous Birthdays
Sophie Germain
(1776 - 1831)- Otto von Bismarck
(1815 - 1898) - Toshiro Mifune
(1920 - 1997) - Anne McCaffrey
(1926 - 2011) - Wangari Maathai
(1940 - 2011) - Logan Paul
25 Years Old
Sophie Germain
Otto von Bismarck
Toshiro Mifune
Anne McCaffrey
Wangari Maathai
Logan PaulWould You Believe?
Google introduces Gmail: the launch is met with skepticism on account of the launch date
On April 1, 2004
Famous Weddings
- 1778 Poet Phillis Wheatley (24) weds grocer and advocate for black rights John Peters
- 1959 American sci-fi writer "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" Philip K Dick marries 3rd wife Anne Williams Rubinstein
- 1961 American televangelist Jim Bakker (21) marries Christian singer Tammy Faye (19)
Famous Divorces
- 1990 Guns & Roses' Duff divorces Mandy Brix, lead singer for Lame Flames
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Scott Joplin
Charles R. Drew
Harry Crerar
Marvin Gaye
Efraín Ríos MonttApril in History
Giant Achievements of King Kong Creator
Edgar Wallace, born on this day in history, was one of the world’s most prolific authors. His theme was usually crime and mystery but he also created King Kong.
April 1, 1875Flash! Bang! It's the Human Cannonball!
An excited crowd looked up in astonishment and wonder when, in 1877, the first human cannonball flew above their heads.
April 2, 1877The Computer That Came By Truck
It didn't have the sleek lines that Steve Jobs would admire and it needed to be carried on a truck, but the computer age had finally arrived in rural England.
April 3, 1957Martin Luther King Shot Dead
Martin Luther King Jr, the celebrated (‘I have a dream’) civil rights campaigner, was shot dead on this day as he stood on a motel balcony in Memphis Tennessee.
April 4, 1968
