| 193 |
|
In the Balkans, the distinguished soldier Septimius Severus is proclaimed emperor by the army in Illyricum. |
| 715 |
|
Constantine ends his reign as Catholic Pope. |
| 1241 |
|
In the Battle of Liegnitz, Mongol armies defeat Poles and Germans. |
| 1454 |
|
The city states of Venice, Milan and Florence sign a peace agreement at Lodi, Italy. |
| 1682 |
|
Robert La Salle claims lower Mississippi River and all lands that touch it for France. |
| 1731 |
|
British Captain Robert Jenkins loses an ear to a band of Spanish brigands, starting a war between Britain and Spain: The War of Jenkins' Ear. |
| 1770 |
|
Captain James Cook discovers Botany Bay on the Australian continent. |
| 1859 |
|
Realizing that France has encouraged the Piedmontese forces to mobilize for invading Italy, Austria begins mobilizing its army. |
| 1865 |
|
General Robert E. Lee surrenders his rebel forces to Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse, Va. |
| 1900 |
|
British forces route Boers at Kroonstadt, South Africa. |
| 1916 |
|
The German army launches its third offensive during the Battle of Verdun. |
| 1917 |
|
The Battle of Arras begins as Canadian troops begin a massive assault on Vimy Ridge. |
| 1921 |
|
Russo-Polish conflict ends with signing of the Riga Treaty. |
| 1940 |
|
Germany invades Norway and Denmark. |
| 1942 |
|
In the Battle of Bataan, American and Filipino forces are overwhelmed by the Japanese Army. |
| 1945 |
|
The Red Army is repulsed at the Seelow Heights on the outskirts of Berlin. |
| 1950 |
|
Comedian Bob Hope makes his first television appearance. |
| 1963 |
|
Winston Churchill becomes the first honorary U.S. citizen. |
| 1966 |
|
The statue of Winston Churchill is dedicated at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. |
| 1968 |
|
Murdered civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., is buried. |
| 1970 |
|
Paul McCartney announces the official break-up of the Beatles. |
|
Born on April 9 |
| 1649 |
|
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. |
| 1821 |
|
Charles Baudelaire, French poet. |
| 1826 |
|
Chatham Roberdeau Wheat, Confederate commander during the American Civil War. |
| 1865 |
|
Erich Ludendorff, German general during World War I. |
| 1879 |
|
W.C. Fields (Claude William Dukenfield), comedian and actor. |
| 1898 |
|
Paul Robeson, actor and activist. |
| 1905 |
|
J. William Fulbright, U.S. senator from Arkansas. |
| 1926 |
|
Hugh Hefner, founder and publisher of Playboy magazine. |