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On This Day

April 02

YEAR 2025

Liberation Day tariffs: U.S. President Donald Trump announces sweeping worldwide tariffs.

Liberation Day tariffs: U.S. President Donald Trump announces sweeping worldwide tariffs.

YEAR 2024

Viertola school shooting: A 12-year-old pupil is killed and two others injured by a shooter of the same age in Vantaa, Finland.

Viertola school shooting: A 12-year-old pupil is killed and two others injured by a shooter of the same age in Vantaa, Finland.

YEAR 2021

A Capitol Police officer is killed and another injured when an attacker rams his car into a barricade outside the United States Capitol.

A Capitol Police officer is killed and another injured when an attacker rams his car into a barricade outside the United States Capitol.

YEAR 2021

At least 49 people are killed in a train derailment in Taiwan after a truck accidentally rolls onto the track.

At least 49 people are killed in a train derailment in Taiwan after a truck accidentally rolls onto the track.

YEAR 2020

COVID-19 pandemic: The total number of confirmed cases reach one million.

COVID-19 pandemic: The total number of confirmed cases reach one million.

YEAR 2015

Gunmen attack Garissa University College in Kenya, killing at least 148 people and wounding 79 others.

Gunmen attack Garissa University College in Kenya, killing at least 148 people and wounding 79 others.

YEAR 2015

Four men steal items worth up to £200 million from an underground safe deposit facility in London's Hatton Garden area in what has been called the "la...

Four men steal items worth up to £200 million from an underground safe deposit facility in London's Hatton Garden area in what has been called the "largest burglary in English legal history."

YEAR 2014

A spree shooting occurs at the Fort Hood army base in Texas, with four dead, including the gunman, and 16 others injured.

A spree shooting occurs at the Fort Hood army base in Texas, with four dead, including the gunman, and 16 others injured.

YEAR 2012

A mass shooting at Oikos University in California leaves seven people dead and three injured.

A mass shooting at Oikos University in California leaves seven people dead and three injured.

YEAR 2012

UTair Flight 120 crashes after takeoff from Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen, Russia, killing 33 and injuring 10.

UTair Flight 120 crashes after takeoff from Roshchino International Airport in Tyumen, Russia, killing 33 and injuring 10.

YEAR 2011

India wins the Cricket World Cup for the second time in history under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

India wins the Cricket World Cup for the second time in history under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

YEAR 2006

Over 60 tornadoes break out in the United States; Tennessee is hardest hit with 29 people killed.

Over 60 tornadoes break out in the United States; Tennessee is hardest hit with 29 people killed.

YEAR 2004

Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid; the attack is thwarted.

Islamist terrorists involved in the 11 March 2004 Madrid attacks attempt to bomb the Spanish high-speed train AVE near Madrid; the attack is thwarted.

YEAR 2002

Israeli forces surround the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, into which armed Palestinians had retreated.

Israeli forces surround the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, into which armed Palestinians had retreated.

YEAR 1992

In New York, Mafia boss John Gotti is convicted of murder and racketeering and is later sentenced to life in prison.

In New York, Mafia boss John Gotti is convicted of murder and racketeering and is later sentenced to life in prison.

YEAR 1992

Forty-two civilians are massacred in the town of Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Forty-two civilians are massacred in the town of Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

YEAR 1991

Rita Johnston becomes the first female Premier of a Canadian province when she succeeds William Vander Zalm (who had resigned) as Premier of British C...

Rita Johnston becomes the first female Premier of a Canadian province when she succeeds William Vander Zalm (who had resigned) as Premier of British Columbia.

YEAR 1989

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in Havana, Cuba, to meet with Fidel Castro in an attempt to mend strained relations.

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in Havana, Cuba, to meet with Fidel Castro in an attempt to mend strained relations.

YEAR 1986

Alabama governor George Wallace, a former segregationist, best known for the "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door", announces that he will not seek a fifth...

Alabama governor George Wallace, a former segregationist, best known for the "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door", announces that he will not seek a fifth four-year term and will retire from public life upon the end of his term in January 1987.

YEAR 1982

Falklands War: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.

Falklands War: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.

YEAR 1980

United States President Jimmy Carter signs the Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act.

United States President Jimmy Carter signs the Crude Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act.

YEAR 1979

A Soviet bio-warfare laboratory at Sverdlovsk accidentally releases airborne anthrax spores, killing 66 plus an unknown amount of livestock.

A Soviet bio-warfare laboratory at Sverdlovsk accidentally releases airborne anthrax spores, killing 66 plus an unknown amount of livestock.

YEAR 1976

Prince Norodom Sihanouk resigns as leader of Cambodia and is placed under house arrest.

Prince Norodom Sihanouk resigns as leader of Cambodia and is placed under house arrest.

YEAR 1975

Vietnam War: Thousands of civilian refugees flee from Quảng Ngãi Province in front of advancing North Vietnamese troops.

Vietnam War: Thousands of civilian refugees flee from Quảng Ngãi Province in front of advancing North Vietnamese troops.

YEAR 1973

Launch of the LexisNexis computerized legal research service.

Launch of the LexisNexis computerized legal research service.

YEAR 1972

Actor Charlie Chaplin returns to the United States for the first time since being labeled a communist during the Red Scare in the early 1950s.

Actor Charlie Chaplin returns to the United States for the first time since being labeled a communist during the Red Scare in the early 1950s.

YEAR 1969

LOT Polish Airlines Flight 165 crashes into the Polica mountain near Zawoja, Poland, killing 53.

LOT Polish Airlines Flight 165 crashes into the Polica mountain near Zawoja, Poland, killing 53.

YEAR 1964

The Soviet Union launches Zond 1.

The Soviet Union launches Zond 1.

YEAR 1956

As the World Turns and The Edge of Night premiere on CBS. The two soaps become the first daytime dramas to debut in the 30-minute format.

As the World Turns and The Edge of Night premiere on CBS. The two soaps become the first daytime dramas to debut in the 30-minute format.

YEAR 1954

A 19-month-old infant is swept up in the ocean tides at Hermosa Beach, California. Local photographer John L. Gaunt photographs the incident; 1955 Pul...

A 19-month-old infant is swept up in the ocean tides at Hermosa Beach, California. Local photographer John L. Gaunt photographs the incident; 1955 Pulitzer winner "Tragedy by the Sea".

YEAR 1930

After the mysterious death of Empress Zewditu, Haile Selassie is proclaimed emperor of Ethiopia.

After the mysterious death of Empress Zewditu, Haile Selassie is proclaimed emperor of Ethiopia.

YEAR 1921

The Autonomous Government of Khorasan, a military government encompassing the modern state of Iran, is established.

The Autonomous Government of Khorasan, a military government encompassing the modern state of Iran, is established.

YEAR 1917

American entry into World War I: President Wilson asks the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war on Germany.

American entry into World War I: President Wilson asks the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war on Germany.

YEAR 1912

The ill-fated RMS Titanic begins sea trials.

The ill-fated RMS Titanic begins sea trials.

YEAR 1911

The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts the country's first national census.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics conducts the country's first national census.

YEAR 1902

"Electric Theatre", the first full-time movie theater in the United States, opens in Los Angeles.

"Electric Theatre", the first full-time movie theater in the United States, opens in Los Angeles.

YEAR 1902

Dmitry Sipyagin, Minister of Interior of the Russian Empire, is assassinated in the Mariinsky Palace, Saint Petersburg.

Dmitry Sipyagin, Minister of Interior of the Russian Empire, is assassinated in the Mariinsky Palace, Saint Petersburg.

YEAR 1885

Canadian Cree warriors attack the village of Frog Lake, killing nine.

Canadian Cree warriors attack the village of Frog Lake, killing nine.

YEAR 1865

American Civil War: Defeat at the Third Battle of Petersburg forces the Army of Northern Virginia and the Confederate government to abandon Richmond,...

American Civil War: Defeat at the Third Battle of Petersburg forces the Army of Northern Virginia and the Confederate government to abandon Richmond, Virginia.

YEAR 1863

American Civil War: The largest in a series of Southern bread riots occurs in Richmond, Virginia.

American Civil War: The largest in a series of Southern bread riots occurs in Richmond, Virginia.

YEAR 1801

French Revolutionary Wars: In the Battle of Copenhagen a British Royal Navy squadron defeats a hastily assembled, smaller, mostly-volunteer Dano-Norwe...

French Revolutionary Wars: In the Battle of Copenhagen a British Royal Navy squadron defeats a hastily assembled, smaller, mostly-volunteer Dano-Norwegian Navy at high cost, forcing Denmark out of the Second League of Armed Neutrality.

YEAR 1800

Ludwig van Beethoven leads the premiere of his First Symphony in Vienna.

Ludwig van Beethoven leads the premiere of his First Symphony in Vienna.

YEAR 1792

The Coinage Act is passed by Congress, establishing the United States Mint.

The Coinage Act is passed by Congress, establishing the United States Mint.

YEAR 1755

Commodore William James captures the Maratha fortress of Suvarnadurg on the west coast of India.

Commodore William James captures the Maratha fortress of Suvarnadurg on the west coast of India.

YEAR 1725

J. S. Bach's cantata Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, BWV 6, is first performed in Leipzig on Easter Monday.

J. S. Bach's cantata Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, BWV 6, is first performed in Leipzig on Easter Monday.

YEAR 1513

Having spotted land on March 27, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on what is now the U.S. state of Florida, landing somewhere between...

Having spotted land on March 27, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León comes ashore on what is now the U.S. state of Florida, landing somewhere between the modern city of St. Augustine and the mouth of the St. Johns River.

YEAR 1285

Election of Pope Honorius IV following the death of Pope Martin IV.

Election of Pope Honorius IV following the death of Pope Martin IV.

YEAR 1107

Seljuq sultan Muhammad I Tapar begins with the siege of Shahdiz, a fortress of the Nizari Ismailis.

Seljuq sultan Muhammad I Tapar begins with the siege of Shahdiz, a fortress of the Nizari Ismailis.