1943⚡ Event
Execution of Otto and Elise Hampel
Otto and Elise Hampel were executed in Berlin for performing acts of resistance against Nazism.
politicswar
This Week in History: Week 15
April 8 – April 14
Over 105 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 8 – April 14)(20)
1959⚡ Event
COBOL Development Discussion
A team of computer scientists met to discuss the creation of a common business-oriented programming language, which became COBOL.
technologyeconomics
1961⚡ Event
MV Dara Explosion
A large explosion on board the MV Dara in the Persian Gulf killed 238 people.
disaster
1961⚡ Event
First Human in Space
Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human to journey into outer space. He completed one orbit of Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft.
spacesciencetechnology
1963⚡ Event
USS Thresher sinks
The U.S. Navy nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank with all hands lost during deep-diving tests in the North Atlantic Ocean on April 10, 1963.
wardisaster
1968⚡ Event
BOAC Flight 712 Engine Fire
BOAC Flight 712 experienced an engine fire shortly after take-off from London Heathrow, leading to the deaths of five people on board.
disaster
1970⚡ Event
Paul McCartney leaves The Beatles
Paul McCartney announced his departure from the Beatles on April 10, 1970, amid business disagreements with his bandmates.
musicentertainment
1973⚡ Event
Progress Party Founded in Norway
The Progress Party was founded in a movie theater in Oslo, Norway.
politics
1973⚡ Event
Invicta International Airlines Flight 435 crash
In the deadliest aviation accident in Swiss history, Invicta International Airlines Flight 435 crashed near Hochwald, killing 108 people on April 10, 1973.
disaster
1992⚡ Event
Maraga massacre
Dozens of Armenian civilians were massacred in the village of Maraga by Azerbaijani forces during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War on April 10, 1992.
warpolitics
1999⚡ Event
Niger's President Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara assassinated
Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara, President of Niger, was shot dead by soldiers in Niamey.
politicswar
2001⚡ Event
Australia vs. American Samoa football match
In a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Australia defeated American Samoa 31–0, the largest margin of victory recorded in international football.
sports
2002⚡ Event
2002 Venezuelan coup attempt
In a coup attempt, members of the Venezuelan military detained President Hugo Chávez and demanded his resignation.
politicslaw
2005⚡ Event
Prince Charles marries Camilla Parker Bowles
Charles, Prince of Wales, married Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony at the Windsor Guildhall.
politicsentertainment
2011⚡ Event
Minsk Metro bombing
A bomb exploded at the Oktyabrskaya station of the Minsk Metro in Belarus, killing 15 people and injuring over 200.
disasterpolitics
2017⚡ Event
Borussia Dortmund bus bombing
The tour bus of the German football team Borussia Dortmund was attacked with roadside bombs, killing a police officer and injuring a player.
disastersports
2019⚡ Event
First image of a black hole released
Scientists from the Event Horizon Telescope project released the first image of the black hole at the center of the galaxy M87 on April 10, 2019.
sciencespace
2021⚡ Event
Prince Philip dies
Prince Philip, the consort of Queen Elizabeth II, died at Windsor Castle at the age of 99.
politics
2021⚡ Event
Bago massacre in Myanmar
Burmese military and police forces killed at least 82 civilians in the Bago massacre, including people protesting a recent coup d'état.
warpolitics
2023⚡ Event
Myanmar Air Force airstrike
A Myanmar Air Force airstrike killed at least 100 villagers in Pazigyi.
war
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1997🎂 Birth
Claire Wineland
Claire Wineland was an American activist and author who died in 2018.
literature
2000🎂 Birth
Fidias Panayiotou
Fidias Panayiotou is a Cypriot internet celebrity and politician.
entertainmentpolitics
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2021🕊️ Death
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, died on April 9, 2021. He was born in 1921.
politics
2021🕊️ Death
DMX
DMX, American rapper and actor, died on April 9, 2021. He was born in 1970.
musicentertainment
2022🕊️ Death
Dwayne Haskins
Dwayne Haskins, American football player, died on April 9, 2022. He was born in 1997.
sports
2023🕊️ Death
Karl Berger
Karl Berger, German-American jazz pianist, died on April 9, 2023. He was born in 1935.
music
2024🕊️ Death
O. J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson was an American football player, actor, and broadcaster born in 1947.
sportsentertainment
2025🕊️ Death
Ray Shero
Ray Shero, American ice hockey player and executive, died on April 9, 2025. He was born in 1962.
sports
2025🕊️ Death
Ted Kotcheff
Ted Kotcheff was a Canadian film and television director born in 1931.
entertainment
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.