Europa
Major Events:
- 1945 – Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun commit suicide: In Berlin, as World War II neared its end in Europe, Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany, and his wife Eva Braun died by suicide in the Führerbunker.
- 2004 – EU’s largest enlargement: Ten countries—Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta—joined the European Union, marking the biggest single expansion of the EU and integrating many former Eastern Bloc nations.
- 1916 – Daylight Saving Time introduced: Germany and its World War I allies became the first countries to implement Daylight Saving Time, a measure soon adopted by other European countries.
- 1993 – Monica Seles stabbed in Hamburg: Tennis star Monica Seles was attacked by a fan in Germany, an incident that shocked the sports world.
- 1946 – Birth of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden: The current king of Sweden was born on this day.
America
Major Events:
- 1789 – George Washington’s Inauguration: George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States on the balcony of Federal Hall in New York City, marking the beginning of the U.S. presidency and setting a precedent for future inaugurations.
- 1803 – Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, more than doubling the size of the nation and significantly expanding its territory westward.
- 1812 – Louisiana Becomes a State: The Territory of Orleans was admitted as the 18th U.S. state under the name Louisiana.
- 1900 – Hawaii Becomes a U.S. Territory: Hawaii officially became a territory of the United States, with Sanford B. Dole as its first governor.
- 1939 – First U.S. Presidential TV Appearance: President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first U.S. president to appear on television during the opening ceremonies of the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
- 1973 – Watergate Scandal Resignations: President Richard Nixon announced the resignations of top White House aides H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and others due to the Watergate scandal.
- 1975 – End of the Vietnam War: The Vietnam War ended as Saigon fell to Communist forces, marking a significant moment in U.S. and world history.
Asia
- 1975 – Fall of Saigon (Vietnam War Ends): On April 30, 1975, Communist forces captured Saigon, leading to the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese President Dương Văn Minh. This marked the end of the Vietnam War, the reunification of Vietnam, and a pivotal moment in Asian and world history. The victory is celebrated in Vietnam as Liberation of the South Day and is considered a milestone in the nation’s history, symbolizing the end of colonial and imperial rule and the beginning of national reunification and socialism.
- 1979 – Eruption of Mount Marapi (Indonesia): Mount Marapi, a volcano on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, erupted on April 30, 1979, impacting local communities and demonstrating the region’s geological volatility.
- 1991 – Cyclone Hits Bangladesh: A devastating cyclone struck Bangladesh on April 30, 1991, resulting in the deaths of at least 125,000 people and highlighting the vulnerability of South Asia to natural disasters.
Africa
- 2006 – Darfur Peace Plan (Sudan): On April 30, 2006, the Sudanese government accepted a peace plan for the Darfur conflict, brokered by mediators from the African Union. However, various rebel groups, including the Janjaweed militias and the Justice and Equality Movement, were hesitant or refused to sign the agreement in its current form. This event was a significant step in attempts to resolve the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
- 2014 – #BringBackOurGirls Protest (Nigeria): On April 30, 2014, thousands of protesters, especially women, marched in Abuja, Nigeria, demanding action after the mass kidnapping of schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok earlier that month. The demonstration became a focal point for the global #BringBackOurGirls movement, highlighting the threat of terrorism and the plight of abducted children in Nigeria.
This day in history: 30 april