# Today in History **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 10, 2016, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530 "2016-07-10T04:53:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 30
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/582 "2017-04-21T04:50:06Z")
**April 21, 1930** : [The Ohio Penitentiary Fire](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ohiohistory.org/learn/collections/history/history-blog/2015/april-2015/pen-fire&ved=0ahUKEwiYlOHt3LTTAhXB6YMKHbjIBN4QFghBMAM&usg=AFQjCNGpNdMZbMHYbtwT9rXVzrJ0RxL9Pw&sig2=AvdA3hCSebCAicSFX62Hrg) kills 322 inmates. This is the deadliest prison fire in US history, and was the deadliest prison fire ever at the time. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2017, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/583 "2017-04-21T06:33:08Z")
**April 21, 1992:** The first discoveries of extrasolar planets are announced by astronomers Aleksander Wolszczan and Dale Frail. They discovered two planets orbiting the pulsar PSR 1257+12. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/584 "2017-04-22T03:58:57Z")
**April 21, 1918:** Manfred von Richthofen aka “ **The Red Baron** ” is KIA. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/585 "2017-04-22T04:29:16Z")
**April 22, 1945:** Prisoners at the Jasenovac concentration camp revolt. 516 are killed and 84 escape. Before abandoning the camp shortly after the prisoner revolt, the Ustaše killed the remaining prisoners and torched the buildings, guardhouses, torture rooms, the “Picilli Furnace”, and all the other structures in the camp. Upon entering the camp in May, the Partisans came across only ruins, soot, smoke, and the skeletal remains of hundreds of victims. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2017, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/586 "2017-04-22T05:44:28Z")
**April 22, 1934** : FBI agents confront John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and their gang at the [Little Bohemia Lodge](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Bohemia_Lodge&ved=0ahUKEwjS6LHpqrfTAhXC5iYKHUKoBrAQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNEC4QGvxlAfJfRTlVAFAWESF4Jwkw&sig2=aOdeoDQ1Q7yKSI7IbUwhRQ) in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. A shootout ensues, but all the criminals manage to escape out the back. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/587 "2017-04-23T01:21:54Z")
**April 22, 1918:** Robert Wadlow, who would grow to become the world’s tallest man at 8’ 11.1" was born **April 22, 1724:** German philosopher Immanuel Kant (who was a real [pissant](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtgKkifJ0Pw&t=1m26s)) was born. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/588 "2017-04-23T04:48:01Z")
**April 23, 1940** : [The Rhythm Club Fire](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_Club_fire&ved=0ahUKEwjWtcS04LnTAhXBNSYKHZ3BBKcQFgiTATAa&usg=AFQjCNHBlDoYXl624hE4JmP9sopJ0JHoZQ&sig2=3ztuhdBvfogFpnSvmLtDmw) in Natchez, Mississippi kills 209 and injures hundreds more. At the time it was the second deadliest structure fire in US history. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2017, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/589 "2017-04-23T08:31:37Z")
**April 23, 1985:** Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than three months. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/590 "2017-04-24T04:40:08Z")
**April 24, 1908** : This is the only day in US history where two separate tornadoes are known to have killed over 90 people each. This was during [the Dixie Tornado Outbreak](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1908_Dixie_tornado_outbreak&ved=0ahUKEwitib78nrzTAhXFOSYKHR06D20QFghqMAs&usg=AFQjCNHsrcN62LZseyq5xXjY6MBzlZvFPg&sig2=fKoksOte0pK2XHQYch6oDg). The first touched down at about 5am in Louisiana and killed at least 91 before dissipating in Mississippi. 400+ were reported injured. The second tornado struck at about 11:45 am, also in Louisiana. This tornado (the 8th deadliest in US history) killed at least 143 and also injured hundreds before ending in Mississippi. The actual death toll in both tornadoes was probably a good bit higher, because deaths of African Americans were often not recorded in such events at the time. The Dixie Tornado Outbreak overall produced at least 29 tornadoes that in total killed over 320 and injured over 1700. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2017, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/591 "2017-04-24T08:09:31Z")
**April 24, 1990:** The Hubble Space Telescope is launched from the Space Shuttle _Discovery_. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/592 "2017-04-26T04:43:15Z")
**April 26, 1942** : [The Benxihu mining disaster](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/s/sputniknews.com/amp/in_depth/201509011026441814/&ved=0ahUKEwiMm5eppcHTAhXC7iYKHV3vBlsQFggnMAE&usg=AFQjCNGTwRA7w0s3fEzv04Ogxx7gxQ6qlA&sig2=0o_iBM8iNwckpbHOKB3qZA), the deadliest mining accident in history, occurs. After the initial coal dust explosion, the Japanese overseers order the mine sealed to put out the fire. Approximately 1549 Chinese miners inside die. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/593 "2017-04-26T09:35:36Z")
**April 26, 1986:** A nuclear reactor accident occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine), creating the world’s worst nuclear disaster. Practically all of the radioactive material goes on to fallout/precipitate onto much of the surface of the western USSR and Europe. Models predict that by 2065 about 16,000 cases of thyroid cancer and 25,000 cases of other cancers may be expected due to radiation from the accident. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/594 "2017-04-27T04:18:00Z")
**April 27, 1865** : [Boilers explode on the steamboat \*Sultana \*](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0501_river5.html&ved=0ahUKEwjMx7eI18PTAhXB7yYKHeWZDNMQFgiwATAi&usg=AFQjCNFycbHuNyhRWOSMbCjdAWbcX-fUVQ&sig2=7ya-oh1Di3oUQD6ezdDnVQ)as it makes its way up the flooded Mississippi River carrying over 2300 recently released Union POWs. More than 1700 die in this, the worst maritime disaster in United States history. The boat was legally registered to only carry 376 people, but through greed and incompetence over 6 times that many were crowded aboard. More people died on the \*Sultana \*than on the _Titanic_. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2017, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/595 "2017-04-27T09:46:27Z")
**April 27, 1667:** John Milton, blind and impoverished, sells the copyright of _Paradise Lost_ for £10. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/596 "2017-04-28T04:30:51Z")
**April 28, 1943** : The [\*Kamakura Maru \*](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chichibu_Maru&ved=0ahUKEwiVq47-pMbTAhUF7yYKHU4fDF0QFggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNGdFi4I6SujVsb7LnOaaZ7Xs8r5sg&sig2=gAFMDMUoYA9CPBUFwDpwCw)is torpedoed by a US sub. Formally the _Chichibu Maru_, this passenger ocean liner had been commandeered by the Japanese Navy for troop transport and hospital services. 465 survivors were rescued. 2035 others died. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/597 "2017-04-28T09:18:58Z")
**April 28, 1967:** Muhammad Ali refuses his induction into the United States Army and is subsequently stripped of his boxing championship and license. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/598 "2017-04-29T01:39:23Z")
**April 28, 1789:** Mutiny on the Bounty > [@](#): > > The HMS Bounty is seized in a mutiny led by Fletcher Christian, the master’s mate. Captain William Bligh and 18 of his loyal supporters were set adrift in a small, open boat, and the Bounty set course for Tubuai south of Tahiti. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/599 "2017-04-29T04:10:55Z")
**April 29, 1903** : [The Frank Slide](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Slide&ved=0ahUKEwjz8NrI4sjTAhXQZiYKHXdpC4MQFggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNESTwJelD20esdhrm0ZkZ-LHwNLUQ&sig2=Q3_Vj3FxV9ruxGwVvvn0Ug), the deadliest rockslide in North American history, occurs when a portion of Turtle Mountain collapses onto the small mining town of Frank, in Alberta Canada. Around 90 people are buried under tons of rock. Most of the bodies have never been uncovered. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/600 "2017-04-29T06:03:40Z")
**April 29, 1945:** Adolf Hitler marries his longtime partner Eva Braun in a Berlin bunker and designates Admiral Karl Dönitz as his successor; Hitler and Braun both commit suicide the following day. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/601 "2017-04-30T04:23:57Z")
**April 30, 1888** : [The Moradabad hailstorm](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1888_Moradabad_hailstorm&ved=0ahUKEwi3uIWjqcvTAhUKRSYKHYVbDmcQFggcMAA&usg=AFQjCNEjVAt4vPkqFUG8Tn6AVY2OOFV0pw&sig2=tg9kk0z7utHCWS92IjlluA) drops hailstones the size of oranges in India. In places the hail reportedly piled up as much as _two feet high_. Over 230 are killed, making this the deadliest hailstorm in recorded history. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=29) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=31)