April 28 has witnessed a range of significant historical events across centuries. From ancient Roman spectacles to modern wartime turning points, this date holds stories of triumph, rebellion, and tragedy. Notable figures were born, cultural milestones emerged, and pivotal moments unfolded. What specific events shaped this day, and how do they reflect the broader currents of history? Explore further to uncover the impactful happenings tied to April 28.
History
Major Historical Events
44 BC – Julius Caesar’s Funeral Games: On this date, the funeral games for Julius Caesar were held in Rome, organized by his adopted heir, Octavian (later known as Augustus).
These games were a significant public event, showcasing Octavian’s loyalty and reinforcing his political position during a turbulent time following Caesar’s assassination.
1789 – Mutiny on the Bounty: One of the most infamous naval mutinies in history occurred when Fletcher Christian led a revolt against Captain William Bligh aboard the HMS Bounty in the Pacific Ocean.
The mutineers set Bligh and 18 loyal crew members adrift in a small boat, an event that has been immortalized in literature and film.
1937 – First Commercial Flight Across the Pacific: Pan American Airways completed the first commercial flight across the Pacific Ocean, with a Martin M-130 China Clipper landing in Hong Kong after departing from San Francisco.
This marked a significant milestone in global aviation, opening new possibilities for international travel.
1945 – Execution of Benito Mussolini: The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed by Italian partisans in the village of Giulino di Mezzegra.
Their bodies were later publicly displayed in Milan, symbolizing the end of Fascist rule in Italy during World War II.
1967 – Expo 67 Opens in Montreal: The 1967 International and Universal Exposition, known as Expo 67, officially opened in Montreal, Canada, as part of the country’s centennial celebrations.
It became one of the most successful world’s fairs, attracting over 50 million visitors and showcasing futuristic architecture like the Habitat 67 housing complex.
Famous Birthdays
1758 – James Monroe: The fifth President of the United States, James Monroe, was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Monroe is best known for the Monroe Doctrine, a key policy that opposed European colonization in the Americas, shaping U.S. foreign policy for centuries.
1908 – Oskar Schindler: German industrialist Oskar Schindler was born in Zwittau, Moravia (now part of the Czech Republic).
Schindler is celebrated for saving over 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories, a story later depicted in the film “Schindler’s List.”
1937 – Saddam Hussein: The former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, was born in Al-Awja, near Tikrit.
Hussein ruled Iraq from 1979 until 2003, leading the country through multiple conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War, before his eventual capture by U.S. forces.
1974 – Penélope Cruz: Spanish actress Penélope Cruz was born in Madrid, Spain.
Known for her roles in films like “Volver” and “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” for which she won an Academy Award, Cruz has become one of the most recognized talents in international cinema.
Notable Deaths
1945 – Benito Mussolini: As mentioned earlier, the Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was executed by partisans on this date in Giulino di Mezzegra, Italy.
His death marked a turning point in World War II as Allied forces gained ground in Europe.
1999 – Rory Calhoun: American actor Rory Calhoun passed away at the age of 76 in Burbank, California.
Known for his roles in Western films and television series like “The Texan,” Calhoun was a prominent figure in Hollywood during the mid-20th century.
2011 – William Campbell: Canadian actor William Campbell died at the age of 87 in Woodland Hills, California.
He is remembered for his appearances in classic TV shows like “Star Trek,” where he played the memorable character Trelane in the episode “The Squire of Gothos.”
Today in Music History
1968 – Hair Premieres on Broadway: The rock musical “Hair” officially opened at the Biltmore Theatre in New York City, becoming a cultural phenomenon.
Known for its themes of peace, love, and counterculture, it broke barriers with its provocative content and spawned hits like “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.”
1973 – Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon Hits Number One: Pink Floyd’s iconic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” reached the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.
It would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, staying on the charts for over 900 weeks.
1981 – Ringo Starr Marries Barbara Bach: Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr married actress Barbara Bach in London.
The couple met while filming the movie “Caveman,” and their wedding was attended by fellow Beatles Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Today in Sports History
1923 – Wembley Stadium Opens: The iconic Wembley Stadium in London, England, opened its doors for the first time with the FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.
Known as the “White Horse Final” due to a police horse helping control the massive crowd, it marked the beginning of the stadium’s storied history.
1967 – Muhammad Ali Refuses Draft: Boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, citing religious beliefs and opposition to the conflict.
His stand led to the stripping of his heavyweight title and a legal battle that became a symbol of the anti-war movement.
2003 – Andre Agassi Wins in Houston: Tennis legend Andre Agassi won the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, Texas, defeating Andy Roddick.
This victory added to Agassi’s impressive career, showcasing his dominance on various surfaces.
2014 – Los Angeles Clippers Controversy: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life after racist remarks were made public.
This decision, announced on April 28, was a landmark moment in addressing discrimination in professional sports.
Today in Military and Naval History
1789 – Mutiny on the Bounty: As previously noted, the mutiny aboard the HMS Bounty took place in the South Pacific, with Fletcher Christian leading the crew against Captain Bligh.
This event remains a defining moment in naval history, highlighting tensions over authority and survival at sea.
1944 – Exercise Tiger Disaster: During a rehearsal for the D-Day invasion, a tragic incident known as Exercise Tiger occurred off the coast of Devon, England.
German E-boats attacked Allied landing craft, resulting in the deaths of over 700 American servicemen in one of the deadliest training exercises of World War II.
1965 – U.S. Marines Land in the Dominican Republic: In response to a civil war and fears of a communist takeover, U.S. Marines landed in the Dominican Republic as part of Operation Power Pack.
This intervention, ordered by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to restore order but drew criticism for American overreach.
Today in Tech and Science History
1937 – First Commercial Pacific Flight: As mentioned earlier, Pan American Airways completed the first commercial flight across the Pacific with the China Clipper, a significant achievement in aviation technology that reduced travel time between continents.
2001 – First Space Tourist: American businessman Dennis Tito became the world’s first space tourist, launching aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Tito paid $20 million for the trip, paving the way for private space travel.
2019 – Asteroid Defense Test Announced: NASA and international partners announced plans for the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission on this date, aimed at testing planetary defense by intentionally crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid.
This marked a critical step in protecting Earth from potential cosmic threats.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1926 – Harper Lee Born: American author Harper Lee, best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” was born in Monroeville, Alabama.
Her work remains a cornerstone of American literature, addressing themes of racial injustice and morality.
1968 – Hair Opens on Broadway: As noted earlier, the groundbreaking musical “Hair” premiered, influencing theater and popular culture with its bold exploration of the hippie movement and social issues of the 1960s.
1986 – Chernobyl Disaster Cultural Impact: While the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred on April 26, on April 28, the global cultural response began to take shape as news spread.
Artists, writers, and filmmakers later used the tragedy as inspiration for works exploring human error and environmental consequences.
2004 – Abu Ghraib Scandal Breaks: CBS News aired a report on the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq by U.S. military personnel.
The shocking images released on this date sparked worldwide outrage and inspired numerous documentaries, books, and artworks addressing war ethics.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1770 – Captain Cook’s Odd Encounter: While exploring the coast of Australia, Captain James Cook and his crew reportedly saw a kangaroo for the first time near modern-day Botany Bay.
The strange animal baffled them, and Cook later recorded the local Indigenous name for it, which was misunderstood as “kangaroo.”
1930 – First Night Game in Organized Baseball: The first night game in organized baseball history was played in Independence, Kansas, between two minor league teams under temporary lighting.
The novelty of playing under lights drew curious crowds, though the technology was far from perfect.
1988 – Aloha Airlines Flight 243 Incident: A Boeing 737 operated by Aloha Airlines suffered a dramatic decompression mid-flight over Hawaii, with a large section of the roof tearing off.
Miraculously, the plane landed safely with only one fatality, becoming a bizarre yet inspiring story of survival.
Today in History for Kids
1789 – Mutiny on the Bounty Adventure: A long time ago, on a big ship called the HMS Bounty, some sailors decided they didn’t want to follow their captain’s rules anymore.
They took over the ship and sent the captain, William Bligh, away in a tiny boat.
It was like a real-life pirate story!
1937 – Flying Across the Pacific: Imagine flying over the huge Pacific Ocean for the first time in a fancy airplane called the China Clipper.
That’s what happened on this day when pilots flew from America all the way to Hong Kong, showing that people could travel super far by air.
1967 – A Big Fair in Canada: In Montreal, Canada, a giant fair called Expo 67 opened with cool buildings and fun things to see.
Kids from all over the world came to visit, and it was like a huge birthday party for Canada turning 100 years old.
2001 – First Tourist in Space: A man named Dennis Tito became the first person to go to space just for fun, not as a job!
He paid to ride a rocket to a space station, proving that even regular people could one day explore the stars.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1192 – Conrad of Montferrat Assassinated: Conrad of Montferrat, King of Jerusalem during the Third Crusade, was assassinated in Tyre (modern-day Lebanon) by members of the Hashashin, a secretive Islamic sect.
This mysterious murder added to the intrigue of medieval politics in the Holy Land.
1503 – Battle of Cerignola: Spanish forces under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba defeated a French army in southern Italy, marking one of the first major battles where firearms played a decisive role.
This clash showcased the changing nature of warfare in the Renaissance era.
1952 – Occupation of Japan Ends: The Allied occupation of Japan officially ended with the Treaty of San Francisco coming into effect, restoring full sovereignty to Japan after World War II.
This marked a new chapter for the nation as it rebuilt and modernized.
1970 – Vietnam War Draft Lottery: The second draft lottery of the Vietnam War era was held in the United States to determine the order of induction for young men born in 1951.
This system, based on birthdates, became a tense and life-changing event for many.
1986 – High School Space Experiment Lost: While not directly tied to the Chernobyl disaster, on this date, news spread that a high school science experiment meant to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger (which had tragically exploded in January) was among the lost projects, symbolizing the human cost of space exploration setbacks.