This week in April marks a fascinating cross-section of the American story, stretching from the high-stakes diplomacy of the Revolutionary War to the cutting-edge frontiers of the Space Age. As we look back at the dates between April 7 and April 13, we see a nation consistently defined by its “firsts”—whether it is the first time an American reached the stars, the first major victory in a struggle for civil rights, or the first shots fired in a conflict that would redefine the United States forever.
April 7
- 1788: The Settlement of Marietta, Ohio – A group of Revolutionary War veterans arrived at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, establishing Marietta as the first permanent American settlement in the newly created Northwest Territory.
- 1922: The Teapot Dome Scandal Begins – The first reports emerged regarding the secret leasing of federal oil reserves in Wyoming to private companies. This would spiral into one of the most significant corruption scandals in U.S. political history.
April 8
- 1952: Truman Seizes the Steel Mills – During the Korean War, President Harry S. Truman issued an executive order seizing control of the nation’s steel mills to avert a strike. The Supreme Court later ruled this an unconstitutional overreach of presidential power.
- 1974: Hank Aaron Breaks the Home Run Record – “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron hit his 715th career home run in Atlanta, surpassing Babe Ruth’s long-standing record and becoming a symbol of perseverance in the face of racial adversity.
April 9
- 1865: Lee Surrenders at Appomattox – General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House, effectively signaling the end of the American Civil War.
- 1939: Marian Anderson’s Lincoln Memorial Concert – After being barred from singing at Constitution Hall due to her race, the legendary contralto performed a historic open-air concert for 75,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial.
April 10
- 1866: The ASPCA is Founded – Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in New York City, sparking the first major animal welfare movement in the United States.
- 1912: The RMS Titanic Sets Sail – While a British ship, its destination was New York, and its sinking days later profoundly impacted American maritime law and claimed the lives of many prominent American figures.
April 11
- 1968: The Fair Housing Act is Signed – Just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Lyndon B. Johnson signed this landmark civil rights legislation, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.
- 1970: The Launch of Apollo 13 – The third lunar landing mission launched from Kennedy Space Center. It would later become famous for the “successful failure” of bringing the crew home safely after an oxygen tank exploded.
April 12
- 1861: The Civil War Begins at Fort Sumter – Confederate forces opened fire on the Union-held Fort Sumter in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor, marking the official start of the American Civil War.
- 1945: The Death of FDR / Truman Sworn In – President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away in Warm Springs, Georgia. Vice President Harry S. Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President, inheriting the final months of World War II.
April 13
- 1743: Thomas Jefferson is Born – The primary author of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. President was born in Shadwell, Virginia. His vision of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” remains the bedrock of American identity.
- 1964: Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor – For his role in Lilies of the Field, Sidney Poitier became the first African American man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, a watershed moment for Hollywood.
