April 30 - Death of Adolf Hitler

This Day in History: 30 April 2020

 

30 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Adolf Hitler, dictator of Germany, committed suicide in his underground bunker. He consumed a cyanide capsule, then proceeded to shoot himself. Hitler had repaired his bunker 3 months prior, which contained 18 small rooms and was fully self-sufficient, as it had its own water and electrical supply. Down there, he spent most of his time micromanaging the remains of German defences and entertaining guests. His newlywed Eva Braun was at his side, married only one day prior to their suicide, and so was his dog, an Alsatian named Blondi.

 

A warning had come in from officers that the Soviets were extremely close to overtaking the chancellery, and urged Hitler to escape to Berchtesgaden, in the Bavarian Alps, where he owned a home. Instead, him and his wife chose suicide, both swallowing cyanide capsules, that were first tested for their efficiency on Blondi and her puppies. The bodies of Hitler and Eva were cremated in the chancellery garden by the bunker survivors, as part of the dictator's orders, and later recovered in part by Soviet troops. The Soviets continually changed their location in order to prevent Hitler's supporters creating a memorial at his final resting place. Eight days later, the German forces issued an unconditional surrender.

 

Want to find out more about the death of Adolf Hitler? Click here for more information.

 

April 29 - Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp

This Day in History: 29 April 2020

 

29 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Dachau concentration camp was liberated by Americans. Five hundred German troops that were guarding the camp were killed within an hour, some murdered by inmates, but mostly by American liberators. These liberators were horrified by what they witnessed at the camp, as they saw huge piles of emaciated dead bodies that were found in more than 30 railway cars and near the crematorium. Prior to this, as the Allied forces were advancing on Germany, 7,000 prisoners from Dachau were forced to begin a death march to Tegernsee, and the next day, many of the SS guards abandoned the camp. The German citizens from Dachau were later forced to bury the 9,000 dead inmates found at the camp.

 

At Dachau, there were 33,000 survivors, of which 2,539 were Jewish. The camp was the first established by the Nazi regime, and at least 160,000 prisoners passed through the main camp. Medical experiments, such as studying the effects of freezing on warm-blooded creatures in order to treat malaria, were carried out on prisoners. At least 32,000 prisoners at Dachau died of malnutrition and mistreatment, but an unthinkable amount more were transported to the Auschwitz gas chambers. On September 11, 1956, a memorial was established at the site.

 

Want to find out more about the liberation and history of the Dachau concentration camp? Click here for more information, or here for the first report from the camp in 1934.

 

April 28 - Death of Benito Mussolini

This Day in History: 28 April 2020

 

28 April 1945

 

75 years ago, today, Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were shot by Italian partisans that had captured the couple as they attempted to flee to Switzerland. The deposed former Italian dictator was established by his German allies as the figurehead of a puppet government in northern Italy as the end of the war drew nearer. The Allies were fighting their way up the Italian peninsula, so it was certain that the Axis powers would soon be defeated, forcing Mussolini to consider his options.

 

He did not want to fall into the hands of the British or American forces and knew that the Soviets would try him as a war criminal. The communist partisans had been fighting the last Italian fascist soldiers and thugs in the north. This caused Mussolini to decide to escape to a neutral country. He and Petacci made their way to the Swiss border but discovered that the guards had crossed to the partisan side. Mussolini disguised himself in a Luftwaffe coat and helmet, hoping to slip into Austria amongst German soldiers. This proved ineffective, and the couple were discovered and shot. Their bodies were transported to Milan, where they were hung upside down and displayed in public for viewing.

 

Want to find out more about the life and death of Benito Mussolini? Click here for more information.

 

April 27 - First Multiracial Elections in South Africa

This Day in History: 27 April 2020

 

27 April 1994

 

26 years ago, today, South Africa held its first multiracial elections, as more than 22 million citizens came to cast their vote, choosing Nelson Mandela to lead them. In his earlier years, Mandela advocated for nonviolence in resistance to South Africa's apartheid system, consisting of white supremacy and racial segregation. However, this was broken after the massacre of peaceful black demonstrators in 1960, as Mandela helped to organise a paramilitary branch of the African National Congress, in order to engage in guerrilla warfare. Later, he would face many years in prison and on trial and would even be convicted to life in prison in 1964, while still remaining as the symbolic leader of the anti-apartheid movement.

 

Mandela was released from prison in 1990 when F.W. de Klerk became South Africa's president, and began to take apartheid to pieces. Both were awarded a joint Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, for their work establishing a multiracial government and ending apartheid. In their first free elections, the overwhelmingly large majority chose Mandela to head a new coalition government that would include his African National Congress Party, the National Party and the Inkatha Freedom Party. Soon after, in May, Mandela was instituted as president, becoming the nation's first black head of state, keeping this position until 1999. Following these elections, 27 April became a national public holiday, named Freedom Day.

 

Want to find out more about the first free votes held in South Africa? Click here for more information, or here for a news report from the day.

April 26 - Chernobyl Power Plant Incident

This Day in History: 26 April 2020

 

26 April 1986

 

34 years ago, today, the world's worst nuclear power plant incident occurred at Chernobyl power station in the Soviet Union. This resulted in 32 deaths and many radiation burns in the first days, but the accident was only admitted by the Soviet authorities after Swedish authorities reported the fallout. On the evening prior the incident, a group of engineers began an experiment on one of the reactors but had very little knowledge of reactor physics. Their poorly designed experiment involved disconnecting the emergency safety systems and its power-regulating system, as well as even more mistakes. This resulted in the power levels in the reactor increasing to meltdown levels, as a chemical explosion occurred that blew off the lid of the reactor, releasing more than 50 tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere.

 

The next day, Soviet authorities began to evacuate the nearby inhabitants, and attempted to cover up the incident. However, this failed, as Swedish radiation monitoring stations close to Chernobyl reported high radiation levels, causing the Soviet news agency to later acknowledge the accident. The radiation that escaped was several times that produced by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and was spread by the wind, contaminating millions of acres of forest and agricultural land. It is estimated that 5,000 Soviets eventually died from cancer and radiation-related illnesses caused by the Chernobyl incident, and millions more citizen's health were affected. Chernobyl's last working reactors were shut down in 2000, and the plant was officially closed.

 

Want to find out more about the Chernobyl power plant incident? Click here for more information, or watch the 2019 miniseries 'Chernobyl' that revolves around the nuclear disaster.

 

April 25 - Birth of Oliver Cromwell

This Day in History: 25 April 2020

25 April 1599

421 years ago, today, Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon, England. Best known for making England a republic and leading the Commonwealth of England, Cromwell was a significant English military and political leader. As one of the generals on the parliamentary side of the English Civil War, against Charles I, he helped overthrow the Stuart monarchy, and consequently became Lord Protector of England. In this role, he raised England's status to more of a leading European power, after the decline it had faced following the death of Queen Elizabeth I. 

Cromwell believed deeply in the importance of religious toleration; despite the fact he was a convinced Calvinist. Throughout history, he has been labelled as a dictator by some, including Winston Churchill, as he was a devout Puritan, particularly intolerant of Catholics and Quakers. However, he is credited for helping to lead Great Britain toward a constitutional government. It is thought that he was prompted to join this sect in the 1630s due to his marriage to Elizabeth Bourchier, whose family was active in the Puritan church. After his death, his body was dug out by supporters of the monarchy and was beheaded. His head was then displayed on a pole outside Westminster for more than 20 years. 

Want to find out more about the life and legacy of Oliver Cromwell? Click here for more information.

April 24 - Easter Rebellion

This Day in History: 24 April 2020

 

24 April 1916

 

104 years ago, today, on Easter Monday in Dublin, the Irish Republican Brotherhood launched the Easter Rebellion, an armed uprising against British rule. The secret organisation was led by Patrick Pearse and consisted of Irish nationalists. They rioted and attacked British provincial government headquarters across Dublin and seized the capital's General Post Office. Afterwards, they proclaimed the independence of Ireland, which had been under the repressive control of Britain for centuries. By the next morning, they were in control of much of the city, but later that day, British authorities launched a counteroffensive. The uprising had been crushed by April 29.

 

Following the rebellion, Pearse and many other nationalist leaders were executed for their participation, causing them to be viewed as martyrs by many in Ireland. Armed protest still continued, and 5 years later, 26 of Ireland's 32 counties won independence with the declaration of the Irish Free State. However, as 6 still remained part of the United Kingdom, some nationalists were prompted into forming the Irish Republican Army to continue to struggle for full Irish independence. In the 1960s, the pro-Catholic side of the IRA battled British troops, sparking a series of terrorist bombings and attacks. The group finally gave up their weapons in July 2005 and continued to strive for independence through peaceful means.

 

Want to find out more about the Easter Rebellion? Click here for more information.

 

April 23 - Presumed Birth of William Shakespeare

This Day in History: 23 April 2020

 

23 April 1564

 

456 years ago, today, William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon. Although it is impossible to know his exact date of birth, his baptism took place on April 26, and three days was a traditional amount of time to wait before baptising a new-born. Shakespeare is widely recognised as one of the greatest writers in the English language, gaining the nickname of England's national poet. Throughout his life, he wrote 38 plays, 154 sonnets, a few verses and two long narrative poems. Despite this, the authorship of some remains uncertain. His plays have since been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any playwright.

 

At 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, who was 8 years older than him. Together, they had three children, named Susanna, Hamnet and Judith. After his marriage, he is thought to have spent most of his time in London, as he wrote and performed in his plays, although information about his life became very rare. Around 1613, he retired to Stratford, at the age of 49, where he died three years later, on April 23, the same presumed day of his birth. Most of his best-known work was produced between 1589 and his retirement. His earlier plays were mainly comedies and histories, whereas his works afterwards consisted largely of tragedies, including 'Othello' and 'Macbeth'. In his last years, he wrote romances, and collaborated with many other playwrights. He remains highly popular today, as he is constantly studied and reinterpreted in cultures and contexts around the world.

 

Want to find out more about the life and legacy of William Shakespeare? Click here for more information, or here for a video.

 

April 22 - First Earth Day

This Day in History: 22 April 2020

 

22 April 1970

 

50 years ago, today, the first Earth Day was celebrated, in order to increase public awareness of the Earth's environmental crisis, making today its 50^th anniversary. This occurred in the United States, where millions of Americans, including students, participated in rallies, marches and enacted in educational programs across the nation. The event was thought of by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who was an environmentalist wanting to encourage unity to the movement and increase ecological awareness. He spoke of the objective being to get a "nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy".

 

Senator Nelson indeed achieved his aim, as the first Earth Day did increase environmental awareness in America, and 3 months later, the Environmental Protection Agency was established by a special executive order to help regulate and enforce the national pollution legislation. This national occasion also led to the passage of the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts. On Earth Day's 20^th anniversary, more than 200 million people in 141 countries participated in celebrations. President Clinton also awarded Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout the years, Earth Day has actually been celebrated on different days by certain groups. Despite its traditional celebration date being on April 22, the United Nations officially celebrates it on the vernal equinox, usually occurring on around March 21.

 

Want to find out more about the history of Earth Day? Click here for more information.

 

April 21 - Death of King Henry VII

This Day in History: 21 April 2020

 

21 April 1509

 

511 years ago, today, King Henry VII died of tuberculosis at Richmond Palace, and was buried in the chapel that he had commissioned in Westminster Abbey, next to his wife, Elizabeth. He was succeeded by his son, Henry VIII. Also known as Henry Tudor, he was the first king in the Tudor dynasty after defeating King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, in August 1485. This battle is regarded to have been the last in the series of battles, known as the Wars of the Roses, which brought years of instability to England. When Henry died, his country finally had regained the wealth lost in the years of war, and the position of the King was secure.

 

As a usurper, Henry's main aim as King was to consolidate his power and secure his dynasty. His attempts to do this were more successful than not. He married a Yorkist, Elizabeth of York, which symbolically ended the Wars of the Roses, as it united the two houses. The rebellions he faced were dealt with successfully, as he defeated Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, while also creating alliances with problematic countries, such as Scotland and Burgundy. However, other Yorkist claimants, such as Richard and Edmund de la Pole, were not completely dealt with until the last years of Henry's life, meaning that he was never fully secure. Despite this, King Henry ultimately restored the power and stability of the English monarchy after years of turmoil and replenished the fortunes of an effectively bankrupt country.

 

Want to find out more about the life of King Henry VII? Click here for more information.