Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 20

2021

Former police officer Derek Chauvin convicted of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

2010

The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explodes, killing 11 and causing the rig to sink, causing a massive oil discharge into the Gulf of Mexico and an environmental disaster.

2008

Danica Patrick driving for Andretti Green Racing wins the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring Motegi; first female driver in history to win an IndyCar Series race.

1992

Expo ’92 opens in Seville Spain.

1980

Cuban President Fidel Castro announces he is opening the Mariel Port for Cubans to leave, about 125,00 leave in next 5-6 months

1977

“Annie Hall”, directed by Woody Allen and starring Woody Allen and Diane Keaton, is released (Academy Awards Best Picture 1978)

1974

Paul McCartney & Wings release single “Band on the Run” in the US.

1968

Pierre Elliott Trudeau sworn in at Rideau Hall as Canada’s 15th Prime Minister, succeeding Lester Pearson.

1902

Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie isolated the radioactive element radium.

1879

First mobile home (horse drawn) was used in a journey from London to Cyprus.

1841

In Philadelphia, PA, Edgar Allen Poe’s first detective story, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” was published in Graham’s Magazine.

1611

First known performance of Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth at the Globe Theatre, London.

1534

Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, set sail from St. Malo to explore the North American coastline during which he discovers Canada and Labrador.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 19

2021

San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau breaks Gordie Howe’s record for most games played in the NHL (1,768).

NASA successfully flies its drone helicopter Ingenuity on Mars, first powered aircraft to fly on another world.

2020

Together At Home concert for COVID-19 aid curated by Lady Gaga and streamed worldwide.

2011

Fidel Castro resigns from the Communist Party of Cuba’s central committee after 45 years of holding the title.

2005

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger elected Pope Benedict XVI of the Papal conclave.

1987

The Simpsons premieres as a short cartoon on The Tracey Ullman Show.

1982

Sally Ride is named the 1st American woman astronaut.

1971

Charles Manson sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Sharon Tate.

1963

Johnny Cash releases his single “Ring Of Fire” written by his future wife June Carter and Merle Kilgore.

1934

Shirley Temple appears in her 1st feature length film, “Stand Up & Cheer”.

1897

1st Boston Marathon (B.A.A. Road Race), the world’s oldest annual marathon inspired by success of the first marathon at the 1896 Summer Olympics.

1883

Fire destroys the Parliament Buildings in Quebec City.

1770

Marie Antoinette marries Louis XVI in a proxy wedding.

Captain James Cook sights the eastern coast of what is now Australia.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 18

2020

Canada’s worst modern mass shooting as a gunman kills 18 people, including a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, across Nova Scotia.

2017

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first player to score 100 goals in the Champions League with a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Bayern Munich.

1999

Wayne Gretzky (New York Rangers) played his final game in the NHL. He retired as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and holder of 61 individual records.

1995

Quarterback Joe Montana announces his retirement from football.

1975

John Lennon releases single “Stand by Me”.

1956

Actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco were married. The religious ceremony took place April 19.

1946

Jackie Robinson has four hits, including a three-run homer, as the Montreal Royals beat Jersey 14-1; first black man to play in professional baseball’s all-white leagues.

1938

Superman, the world’s first super hero, appeared in the first issue of Action Comics. The cover date was June 1938.

1923

Yankee Stadium opened in the Bronx, NY. The Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1. John Phillip Sousa’s band played the National Anthem.

1906

San Francisco earthquake and fire kills nearly 4,000 while destroying 75% of the city.

1506

The cornerstone of the current St. Peter’s Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 17

2021

Funeral of Prince Philip, consort to Queen Elizabeth II, held under COVID-19 restrictions at Windsor Palace, England.

2011

“Game of Thrones”, based on the fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin premieres on HBO

“Thor”, directed by Kenneth Branagh, starring Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman, premieres in Sydney, Australia.

1993

Two Los Angeles police officers convicted in federal court of violating Rodney King’s civil rights and sentenced to prison, while two others are acquitted,

1982

Queen Elizabeth II signs the Royal Proclamation of Canada’s constitution; ends British authority in Canada; Canada remains a constitutional monarchy and member of the Commonwealth.

1973

George Lucas begins writing the treatment for The Star Wars.

1970

Paul McCartney’s 1st solo album “McCartney” is released.

1964

The Ford Motor Company unveiled its new Mustang model.

1937

Daffy Duck’s first appearance, in Porky’s Duck Hunt.

1875

Modern Snooker invented by Sir Neville Chamberlain.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 16

2021

Raúl Castro confirms he is resigning as Cuban Communist Party leader, ending his family’s six decade leadership of Cuba.

2007

“Spider-Man 3” directed by Sam Raimi and starring Toby Maguire and Kristen Dunst premieres at the Tokyo Film Festival.

2004

The super liner Queen Mary 2 embarks on her first Transatlantic crossing.

2003

Washington Wizards’ Michael Jordan plays his final NBA game, in Philadelphia, where he receives a 3 minute standing ovation.

1999

Wayne Gretzky announced his retirement from the National Hockey League (NHL).

1982

Queen Elizabeth proclaims Canada’s new constitution

1980

Arthur Ashe retires from professional tennis.

1968

The Pentagon announced that troops would begin coming home from Vietnam.

1964

The Rolling Stones first album was released in the UK, it went to No.1 two weeks later and stayed on the chart for 40 weeks, with 11 weeks at No.1.

1939

Boston Bruins beat Toronto Maple Leafs 4 games to 1 for Stanley Cup; first NHL playoff expanded to the best-of-seven games format.

1932

Short film “The Music Box” released in the US, starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (1932 Academy Award Best Live Action Short Film).

1818

The United States Senate ratifies the Rush-Bagot Treaty, establishing the border with Canada.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 15

2019

Paris cathedral Notre Dame catches fire, toppling its spire and destroying its roof.

2013

Two bombs explode near the finish line at the Boston Marathon in Boston, Massachusetts, killing 3 people and injuring 264 others.

2010

Volcanic ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland leads to the closure of airspace over most of Europe.

1989

Students in Beijing launched a series of pro democracy protests upon the death of former Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang. The protests led to the Tienanmen Square massacre.

1977

Montreal Expos play their first baseball game in the Olympic Stadium – the Big O – after moving from Jarry Park.

1965

NFL changes penalty flag from white to bright gold.

1952

The first B-52 prototype was tested in the air.

1947

Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in US major league baseball (Dodgers).

1912

The British passenger liner RMS Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m., two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg. Only 710 of 2,227 passengers and crew on board survive.

1874

First ‘Impressionist’ exhibition opens in Paris, features Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Berthe Morisot.

1865

Abraham Lincoln dies 9 hours after he is shot attending the play “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre in Washington.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 14

2021

Coinbase becomes the first major cryptocurrency company to trade shares on the New York stock exchange.

US President Biden says “It’s time to end America’s longest war” confirming his decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan by Sept 11.

2019

83rd US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Tiger Woods wins his 5th Masters title by 1 stroke from Xander Schauffele, Dustin Johnson & Brooks Koepka; Woods’ 15th major and first in 11 years.

2013

Justin Trudeau, son of long-serving Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is elected leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

2010

Icelandic Volcano Eyjafjallajökull begins erupting from the top crater in the centre of the glacier

2003

The Human Genome Project is completed with 99% of the human genome sequenced to an accuracy of 99.99%.

2000

Metallica file a lawsuit against P2P sharing phenomenon Napster. This lawsuit eventually leads the movement against file-sharing programs.

1981

America’s first space shuttle, Columbia, returned to Earth after a three-day test flight. The shuttle orbited the Earth 36 times during the mission.

1956

In Chicago, Illinois, videotape is first demonstrated.

1944

Hydro-Québec founded by the Quebec Hydro-Electric Commission after the Duplessis government expropriates Montreal Light, Heat and Power Consolidated and its subsidiary, Beauharnois Light, Heat and Power Company; after public criticism of poor service and high rates.

1927

The first Volvo car premieres in Gothenburg, Sweden.

1912

The Atlantic passenger liner Titanic, on its maiden voyage hit an iceberg.

1871

Canada sets denominations of currency as dollars, cents, & mills

1865

US President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington; he dies a day later.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 13

2019

Gregg Popovich surpasses Lenny Wilkens to became the all-time winningest coach in NBA history with his 1,413th win.

BTS is the first K-pop band to perform on US TV show “Saturday Night Live”.

2015

“Avengers: Age of Ultron”, directed by Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner, premieres in Los Angeles.

1997

NHL Pitts Penguin Mario Lemieux’s last NHL regular game.

Tiger Woods became the youngest person to win the Masters Tournament at the age of 21. He also set a record when he finished at 18 under par.

1984

Montreal fans welcome Pete Rose in his first game as an Expo; he hits a double – his 4,000th career hit – against his former teammates, the Philadelphia Phillies.

1971

The Rolling Stones released ‘Brown Sugar’ the first record on their own label, Rolling Stones Records, which introduces the infamous licking- tongue and lips logo.

1970

Apollo 13 announces “Okay, Houston, we’ve had a problem here”, as Beech-built oxygen tank explodes en route to Moon

1965

The Beatles record their single “Help”.

1964

Sidney Poitier became the first black to win an Oscar for best actor. It was for his role in the movie “Lilies of the Field.”

1870

The Metropolitan Museum of Art was founded in New York City.

1742

George Frideric Handel’s oratorio “Messiah” performed for the 1st time at New Music Hall in Dublin.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 12

1992

Euro Disney (Disneyland Paris) opens in Marne-la-Vallee, France.

56th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Fred Couples wins his only major title, 2 strokes ahead of 1976 champion Raymond Floyd.

1980

Terry Fox 1958-1981 dips his artificial leg into the Atlantic in St. John’s Newfoundland to start his cross-country ‘Marathon of Hope’, backed by the Canadian Cancer Society, to raise money for cancer research.

1976

Anne Rice’s debut novel “Interview with a Vampire” is published by Knopf.

1966

1st B-52 bombing on North Vietnam.

1961

Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person to orbit Earth (Vostok 1)

1960

Maurice (Rocket) Richard scores his last NHL goal before retiring, helping his Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2.

1954

Bill Haley and the Comets record “Rock Around Clock”.

1898

John Moodie from Hamilton, On, imports a Winton automobile, first gasoline-powered automobile brought to Canada.

1892

George C Blickensderfer patents portable typewriter.

1872

Winnipeg hit with record 33 cm of snow.

1861

Fort Sumter in South Carolina is attacked by the Confederacy, beginning the American Civil War.

1606

England adopted the original Union Jack as its flag.

Categories
Éphémérides (anglais)

It happened on a… April 11

2021

85th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Hideki Matsuyama become first Japanese male to win a golf major.

2015

Barack Obama and Raúl Castro meet in Panama, the 1st meeting of US and Cuban heads of state since the Cuban Revolution.

2012

“The Avengers”, directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner, premieres in Los Angeles.

2006

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announces that Iran has successfully enriched uranium.

1989

Philadelphia Flyers’ goalie Ron Hextall scores short-handed into an empty net in an 8-5 victory over Washington Capitals; first NHL goalie to score a playoff goal. In 1987, he was the first goalie to score a regular season goal.

1976

The Apple I computer, created by Steve Wozniak is released

1970

Apollo 13 is launched.

1966

Frank Sinatra records “Strangers in the Night” single for his album of the same name. Later reaches #1 Billboard charts.

1950

Prince Rainier III becomes ruler of Monaco.

1947

Jackie Robinson became the first black player in major-league history. He played in an exhibition game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1909

Establishment of Tel Aviv by Jewish settlers.

1868

The Shogunate is abolished in Japan.

1814

Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates unconditionally and he is exiled to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean.

1768

Fire destroys one-third of the town of Montreal.