1949⚡ Event
NATO is founded
Twelve countries sign the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., creating the NATO military alliance.
politicswarmilitary
This Week in History: Week 14
April 1 – April 7
Over 61 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (April 1 – April 7)(20)
1968⚡ Event
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, prompting grief and unrest across the United States.
politicslaw
1970⚡ Event
Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act signed
U.S. President Richard Nixon signed the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act into law, mandating surgeon general warnings on cigarette packaging.
lawpoliticsmedicine
1970⚡ Event
AMC Gremlin introduced
The American Motors Corporation introduced the Gremlin, marketed as America's first subcompact car.
technologyeconomics
1973⚡ Event
World Trade Center Dedicated
The World Trade Center in New York City was officially dedicated. This occurred a year after the completion of its twin towers.
economics
1975⚡ Event
Microsoft is founded
Bill Gates and Paul Allen establish Microsoft, a company that becomes central to the personal computer revolution.
technologyeconomics
1975⚡ Event
Microsoft Founded
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They aimed to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800.
technologyeconomics
1975⚡ Event
Operation Babylift Plane Crash
During the Vietnam War, a U.S. Air Force plane crash-landed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base while evacuating children from South Vietnam. The crash killed 78 children and 60 other people.
wardisaster
1990⚡ Event
Strangeways Prison riot begins
The longest prison riot in British history began at Strangeways Prison in Manchester, lasting for 25 days.
lawdisaster
1992⚡ Event
John Gotti convicted
John Gotti, head of the Gambino crime family, was convicted of racketeering, murder, and other charges. He was a prominent figure in organized crime in New York City.
lawpolitics
2000⚡ Event
US v. Microsoft Antitrust Ruling
In United States v. Microsoft Corp., Microsoft was found to have violated antitrust law by bundling Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system.
lawtechnologyeconomics
2001⚡ Event
Same-sex marriage legalized in the Netherlands
Same-sex marriage was legalized in the Netherlands, making it the first country in the world to do so.
lawpolitics
2001⚡ Event
Hainan Island incident
An American EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft and a Chinese fighter jet collided off the coast of Hainan Island, leading to an international dispute.
warpolitics
2002⚡ Event
Siege of the Church of the Nativity
During the Second Intifada, Palestinian militants took refuge in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, initiating a month-long siege by Israeli forces.
warpolitics
2009⚡ Event
Binghamton Shooting
A gunman opened fire at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, New York, killing thirteen people and wounding four before committing suicide.
disaster
2012⚡ Event
2012 Oikos University shooting
A gunman shot at people inside Oikos University, a Korean Christian college in Oakland, California, leaving seven people dead and three injured.
disasterlaw
2013⚡ Event
Buenos Aires Flash Floods
Flash floods in the northeastern section of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people.
disaster
2015⚡ Event
Garissa University College attack
Gunmen attacked Garissa University College in Kenya, killing 148 people and wounding 79 others.
disasterwar
2015⚡ Event
Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary
Six elderly men burgled a safe-deposit facility in Hatton Garden, London, and stole items worth up to an estimated £14 million.
lawdisaster
2016⚡ Event
Panama Papers Revealed
The first news stories on the Panama Papers were published, exposing the illegal use of shell corporations by the law firm Mossack Fonseca.
politicseconomicslaw
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1998🎂 Birth
Birth of Paris Jackson
Paris Jackson, an American actress, model, and singer, was born.
artsentertainment
1999🎂 Birth
Birth of Chanel Harris-Tavita
Chanel Harris-Tavita, a New Zealand-Samoan rugby league player, was born.
sports
2002🎂 Birth
Emma Myers
Emma Myers is an American actress known for her roles in television and film.
entertainment
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2024🕊️ Death
Lou Conter
Lou Conter was an American naval commander and one of the last survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
warpolitics
2024🕊️ Death
Jerry Abbott
Jerry Abbott was an American country music songwriter and record producer. He was born in 1942.
musicentertainment
2024🕊️ Death
John Barth
John Barth was an influential American writer known for his postmodern novels. He was born in 1930.
literaturearts
2024🕊️ Death
Death of Maryse Condé
Maryse Condé, a Guadeloupean novelist, critic, and playwright, passed away at the age of 90.
literaturearts
2024🕊️ Death
Death of Christopher Durang
Christopher Durang, an American playwright known for his absurdist comedies, died at 75.
literaturearts
2025🕊️ Death
Khamtai Siphandone
Khamtai Siphandone was a Laotian politician who served as the 4th President of Laos. He was born in 1924.
politics
Trending Topics This Week
History, Delivered Daily.
Join thousands of history buffs. Get a curated 1-minute read of the day's most fascinating historical events sent straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy.