This day in history: 28 april

Europa

• 1770 – James Cook Reaches Australia
  British explorer James Cook reached the east coast of Australia, becoming the first known European to arrive there. This marked a significant moment in European exploration and colonial history.
• 1945 – Execution of Benito Mussolini
  Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was captured and executed by Italian partisans while attempting to flee Italy, effectively ending 23 years of Fascist rule in Italy.
• 1789 – Mutiny on the Bounty
  On board the British ship HMS Bounty, Fletcher Christian led a mutiny against Captain William Bligh. While the event took place in the South Pacific, it was a British naval affair and is a well-known episode in European maritime history.

America

• 1788 – Maryland Ratifies the U.S. Constitution
  Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution, joining the Union.
• 1941 – Supreme Court Ruling on Railroad Segregation
  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were entitled to equal passenger accommodations on railroads under the Interstate Commerce Act, following a case argued by Rep. Arthur Mitchell of Illinois.
• 1967 – Muhammad Ali Refuses Army Induction
  Boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused induction into the U.S. Army, citing religious reasons. He was immediately stripped of his heavyweight title, convicted of draft evasion, and banned from boxing for three years. His conviction was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
• 1970 – Nixon Authorizes Cambodia Incursion
  President Richard Nixon authorized U.S. combat troops to enter Cambodia, expanding the Vietnam War and sparking significant controversy and congressional backlash.
• 2004 – Abu Ghraib Torture Photos Published
  The first photographs showing torture and abuse of prisoners by U.S. personnel at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq were published, igniting global outrage.
• 2004 – World War II Memorial Opens in Washington, D.C.
  The World War II Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall, honoring the 16 million Americans who served in the war.

Asia

India and South Asia

• 1791 – Birth of Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa: Celebrated general of the Sikh Empire, known for his military campaigns from Punjab to Afghanistan and for defending the northwest frontier of India.
• 1981 – Birth of Anupriya Patel: Indian politician, later Minister of State in the Government of India.
• 1940 – Birth of Samir Ranjan Barman: Former Chief Minister of Tripura, India.
• Death Anniversaries: Vinayak Krishna Gokak (Indian writer), Farrukhsiyar (Mughal emperor), and T. V. Sundaram Iyengar (industrialist).
• 2002 – Pakistan Supreme Court Legalizes Musharraf Referendum: The Supreme Court of Pakistan validated President Pervez Musharraf’s referendum, a significant event in Pakistan’s political history.

China

• 1869 – Chinese Laborers Lay 10 Miles of Railroad Track in One Day: Chinese and Irish workers on the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad set a record for track-laying, highlighting the major role of Chinese migrants in American infrastructure.
• 1952 – Signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty (Treaty of Taipei): Japan and the Republic of China (Taiwan) formally end the Second Sino-Japanese War.
• 2008 – Shandong Train Collision: A major train accident in Shandong province killed 72 people and injured 416.
• 1897 – Birth of Ye Jianying: Influential Chinese general and politician.

Japan

• 1883 – Opening of the Bank of Japan: Japan’s central bank, the only institution authorized to issue banknotes, begins operations.
• 1908 – First Japanese Emigrants Depart for Brazil: The first group of Japanese emigrants leaves Kobe for Brazil, marking the start of a major Japanese diaspora.
• 1952 – San Francisco Peace Treaty Comes into Force: Officially ends the Allied occupation of Japan and restores its sovereignty after World War II.
• 1964 – Japan Joins the OECD: Japan becomes a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, signifying its postwar economic integration.

Africa

• 1936 – Death of Fuad I of Egypt
  Fuad I, the first King of modern Egypt and Sudan, died on this day. His reign (1922–1936) marked Egypt’s transition from a British protectorate to a formally independent kingdom, though British influence remained significant.
• 1924 – Birth of Kenneth Kaunda
  Kenneth Kaunda, who became the first President of Zambia and a major figure in the African independence movement, was born on April 28. He led Zambia from independence in 1964 until 1991 and was a prominent advocate for African unity and anti-colonialism.
• World Day for Safety and Health at Work
  April 28 is observed as the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, an international day recognized across Africa to promote safe, healthy, and decent working conditions.
• African Diaspora – Cinque Leads Amistad Mutiny (1839)
  On April 28, 1839, Joseph Cinqué led a mutiny aboard the Spanish slave ship La Amistad off the coast of Long Island, New York. While this event occurred in the Americas, it is a landmark in the African diaspora’s history and the struggle against the transatlantic slave trade.
• African Music Milestone
  On April 28, 1924, the first recorded use of the oboe in jazz was noted. This is significant for African and African diaspora music history, reflecting the global influence of African musical traditions.