This day in history: 4 april

1949: Formation of NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was established on April 4, 1949. This security alliance included ten Western European countries alongside the United States and Canada, aiming to provide collective defense against Soviet expansion during the Cold War.
2023: Finland Joins NATO
On April 4, 2023, Finland officially became a member of NATO amidst rising geopolitical tensions in Europe.

1789: First Presidential Veto
George Washington issued the first presidential veto in U.S. history, rejecting legislation concerning congressional redistricting.
1841: Death of President William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison became the first U.S. president to die in office, just one month after his inauguration. Vice President John Tyler succeeded him.
1865: Abraham Lincoln Visits Richmond
Following the Union Army’s capture of Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln visited the Confederate capital.
1968: Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by James Earl Ray at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His death marked a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement.

1905: Kangra Earthquake
A devastating earthquake struck Kangra Valley in India, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, killing approximately 20,000 people and destroying most buildings in Kangra, McLeod Ganj, and Dharamshala.
1944: Battle of Kohima Begins
The Battle of Kohima, a crucial turning point in World War II that halted Japan’s advance into Asia, started on this day. Known as the “Stalingrad of the East,” it ended with the defeat and retreat of Japanese forces by British and Indian troops.
2025: Impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol
South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law, ending his presidency.

1960: Senegal Gains Independence
Senegal officially gained independence from France on April 4, 1960, after years of colonial rule. This day is celebrated annually as Senegal’s Independence Day, honoring the nation’s struggle for freedom and its rich cultural heritage. Léopold Sédar Senghor became the country’s first president under a parliamentary system, later adopting a new constitution in 1962 to consolidate presidential powers.