The Bank of England introduced its first polymer £5 note into circulation, featuring Winston Churchill. This marked a shift to more durable and secure banknotes, setting a trend adopted by other nations.
📍 United Kingdom
Amazon expanded Prime Video to more than 200 countries, marking a significant step in global digital streaming. It intensified competition with Netflix and shaped global media consumption patterns.
📍 Global
Actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson delivered a globally recognized speech promoting gender equality and the HeForShe campaign, reinforcing the global dialogue on feminism and inclusive rights.
📍 New York City, United States
Two homemade bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds. The attack shocked the world and led to a massive manhunt and policy shifts in public event security.
📍 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Universal Studios Japan opened in Osaka, becoming one of the most popular theme parks in Asia. It symbolized the global expansion of American entertainment franchises into international tourism.
📍 Osaka, Japan
India launched INSAT-2E, its first fully indigenous weather satellite, enhancing the nation’s meteorological data capacity and reinforcing ISRO's role in domestic and international satellite services.
📍 Sriharikota, India
The British Parliament was televised for the first time, giving the public a direct view into political debate. It was a major step toward transparency and accountability in democratic governance.
📍 London, United Kingdom
Air India Flight 403 crashed while landing at Bombay Airport, killing 17 people. The crash led to discussions about aircraft safety and emergency landing protocols in India.
📍 Mumbai, India
Boeing delivered its first 747 Jumbo Jet to British Overseas Airways Corporation (now British Airways), revolutionizing long-distance commercial air travel with larger passenger capacity and lower costs per seat.
📍 Seattle, Washington, United States
A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber crashed during a mid-air refueling operation over Spain, scattering radioactive material. The incident highlighted nuclear risks during the Cold War and led to diplomatic fallout.
📍 Palomares, Spain
Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois, launching what would become the world’s largest fast-food chain. It revolutionized the global food industry with its standardized model.
📍 Des Plaines, Illinois, United States
The United States officially moved the federal income tax filing deadline to April 15, standardizing a financial ritual that would become central to American economic life.
📍 United States
Thailand promulgated a new constitution known as the April Charter, reinstating a parliamentary system after a period of military dominance. It signaled a key political turning point in post-war Thai governance.
📍 Bangkok, Thailand
The first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was presented to the UN Commission on Human Rights. It laid the foundation for the final document adopted in 1948 and has since influenced global human rights law.
📍 Geneva, Switzerland
Jackie Robinson debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era. His debut was a major moment in the American civil rights movement and sports history.
📍 Brooklyn, New York, United States
The World Bank, created at the Bretton Woods Conference, officially began operations to provide loans and aid to developing countries. It became a key institution in post-war global economic recovery and development.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
Following the retreat of Nazi occupiers and the liberation of Paris, the Louvre Museum reopened to the public. Its reopening marked a symbolic return of cultural freedom and the protection of European heritage.
📍 Paris, France
Rand McNally released its first road atlas, revolutionizing how people traveled across the United States by car. The atlas became an essential tool during the expansion of automobile use and the American highway system.
📍 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Bessie Smith recorded 'Downhearted Blues,' marking a turning point in American music. The song's success made her one of the most influential blues singers and paved the way for African-American artists in the recording industry.
📍 New York City, United States
The Armory Show in New York introduced modern art to the American public, featuring works by Picasso, Duchamp, and Matisse. It challenged traditional art norms and marked a turning point in U.S. art history.
📍 New York City, United States
The RMS Titanic sank in the early hours after hitting an iceberg the previous night, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 passengers and crew. The tragedy became one of the deadliest peacetime maritime disasters and led to major changes in ship safety regulations.
📍 North Atlantic Ocean
North Korea celebrates April 15 as the Day of the Sun, marking the birth of its founder Kim Il-sung. The event is the most significant public holiday in North Korea and symbolizes the foundation of the regime's personality cult.
📍 North Korea
U.S. President Abraham Lincoln succumbed to gunshot wounds after being shot the previous evening by John Wilkes Booth. His death shocked the nation and altered the course of post-Civil War Reconstruction.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
The University of Glasgow appointed Adam Smith as Professor of Logic, beginning his academic career that would lead to his foundational work in economics. He later wrote 'The Wealth of Nations,' a cornerstone of modern economic thought.
📍 Glasgow, Scotland
Leonardo da Vinci, the Italian polymath of the Renaissance known for his contributions to art, science, anatomy, and engineering, was born. His legacy continues to influence diverse fields to this day.
📍 Vinci, Republic of Florence (modern-day Italy)