Daily Archives: April 4, 2025

President Lincoln visits vanquished Confederate capital of Richmond 160 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1865)

1860s, American Civil War, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Lincoln | Now He Belongs to the Ages' (Apr. 4, 1865, at 7:07)

(Tuesday, April 4, 1865, around 3:00 p.m. local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, accompanied by his son Tad, arrived in Richmond today and was cheered by crowds of Union soldiers and former slaves as he toured the former Confederate capital after traveling up the James River from City Point, Virginia. Continue reading President Lincoln visits vanquished Confederate capital of Richmond 160 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1865) →

Microsoft founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen 50 years ago today (Apr 4 1975)

1970s


Video: 'Bill Gates and Paul Allen's Microsoft Legacy | Apr 4, 1975 | Today In History'

(Friday, April 4, 1975) — Microsoft, a multinational computer technology corporation, was founded today by Bill Gates, 19, and Paul Allen, 22, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Continue reading Microsoft founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen 50 years ago today (Apr 4 1975) →

John Lennon interviewed for ‘Un jour futur’ 50 years ago today (Apr 4 1975)

1970s, Popular Music 1970s, Television 1970s, The Beatles 1970s


Video: 'Entretien avec John Lennon - 1975'

(Friday, April 4, 1975) — Former Beatle John Lennon was interviewed by Jean-Francois Vallee today at his just vacated apartment in Sutton Place in New York City for the June 28, 1975, edition of French TV program Un jour futur to promote his latest studio album Rock ‘N’ Roll. Continue reading John Lennon interviewed for ‘Un jour futur’ 50 years ago today (Apr 4 1975) →

U.S. Army liberates Nazi concentration camp for first time 80 years ago today (Apr 4 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Corpses found at the liberation of the Ohrdruf concentration camp'

(Wednesday, April 4, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Ohrdruf concentration camp, a Nazi forced labor and concentration camp located near Ohrdruf, south of Gotha, in Thuringia, Germany (part of the Buchenwald concentration camp network), was liberated today by the 4th Armored Division and the 89th Infantry Division. Continue reading U.S. Army liberates Nazi concentration camp for first time 80 years ago today (Apr 4 1945) →

Davis declares ‘no peace’ will ‘ever be made with the infamous invaders’ 160 years ago today (Apr 4 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 4, 1865, at 47:24)

(Tuesday, April 4, 1865; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — From the new temporary Confederate capital of Danville, Virginia, President Jefferson Davis issued a proclamation to the people of the South today admitting the great loss the Confederacy has suffered in the fall of Richmond; he tells them that while the struggle is entering a new phase, they should not abandon the fight.

78 Vietnam orphans killed in Saigon plane crash 50 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: '20th Century with Mike Wallace - Guerra do Vietnã (1994)' (Apr. 4, 1975, at 12:13)

(Friday, April 4, 1975, 4:45 p.m. Saigon Standard Time; during Operation Babylift, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — More than 130 people, most of them children, were killed today when a U.S. Air Force transport plane evacuating Vietnamese orphans crash-landed shortly after takeoff from Saigon. Continue reading 78 Vietnam orphans killed in Saigon plane crash 50 years ago this hour (Apr 4 1975) →