Google launches Gmail, such a mind-bending concept at the time that shortly after The Associated Press published a story about Gmail, readers began contacting the news agency telling them that it had to be a Google April Fools joke. Five years later more than a billion people were using Gmail.
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What Happened in April?
Sieges, raids, and monumental deaths. Discover key historical events from April that influenced the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
Note: Sources for the historical content shown, include research and reviews of relevant Online History Resources or printed material. When possible, we show a link to a source which provides additional or unique perspective about the event.
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The United States lifts economic sanctions on Libya after the country agrees to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction.
Pope John Paul II dies, leading to the election of Pope Benedict XVI.
A massive immigration reform protest, known as the "Great American Boycott," takes place across the United States.
The Virginia Tech shooting occurs, resulting in the deaths of 32 people in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history at the time.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia formally apologizes to the Indigenous Australians for the Stolen Generations policies.
The G20 summit is held in London to address the global financial crisis.
An explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico kills 11 people and leads to a massive oil spill. Days after the April 20, 2010 explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, underwater cameras revealed the damaged wellhead pipe was leaking oil and gas on the ocean floor about 42 miles off the coast of Louisiana. By the time the well was capped 87 days later on July 15, 2010, an estimated 3.19 million barrels of oil had leaked into the Gulf. More
Prince William and Catherine Middleton marry at Westminster Abbey in London.
The discovery of the Higgs boson particle is announced by scientists at CERN.
The Boston Marathon bombing occurs, killing three people and injuring hundreds. More
The extremist group Boko Haram abducts 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria, leading to international outrage and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
Nepal is hit by a devastating 7.8 earthquake, resulting in widespread destruction and more than eight thousand deaths. More
The Paris Agreement on climate change is signed by 175 countries at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
The United States drops the "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB), the largest non-nuclear bomb, on ISIS targets in Afghanistan. The device is officially known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast. More
The leaders of North and South Korea meet for the first time in more than a decade, pledging to work toward peace and denuclearization.
The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris suffers a devastating fire, causing significant damage to the iconic landmark. More
Japan's Emperor Akihito officially announces his abdication from the Japanese throne. The 85-year-old was given permission to abdicate after saying he felt unable to fulfil his role because of his age and declining health. At midnight, his son, Crown Prince Naruhito will become the new emperor. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had announced in December 2017 that Akihito's abdication would take place at the end of 30 April 2019, The abdication of Emperor Akihito was remarkable for being the first of a Japanese emperor in 200 years. More
The COVID-19 pandemic prompts the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, due to health concerns.
Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, is found guilty of murdering George Floyd, sparking global conversations about racial justice and police brutality.