Monthly Archives: April 2025

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) →

Union forces occupy Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 3 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 3, 1865, 41:16-42:44)

(Monday, April 3, 1865, 8:15 a.m. local time; during the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — Union General Godfrey Weitzel formally accepted the surrender of Richmond today. Continue reading Union forces occupy Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 3 1865) →

Confederate government evacuates Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 2, 1865, at 38:43)

(Sunday, April 2, 1865, approximately 11:00 p.m. local time; immediately following the Third Battle of Petersburg, part of the Appomattox Campaign of the American Civil War) — While attending church in Richmond, Virginia, Confederate President Jefferson Davis received a message from General Robert E. Lee telling him that he will have to evacuate the Confederate capital immediately because the Confederate troops are being forced to abandon the defense of Petersburg because of advancing Union forces. Continue reading Confederate government evacuates Richmond, Virginia 160 years ago this hour (Apr 2 1865) →

Thieu meets with American officials, pleads for help 50 years ago today (Apr 2 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 2, 1975, at 34:10)

(Wednesday, April 2, 1975; during the The Hue–Da Nang Campaign of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, still believing that America would not abandon him, met today with U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin and President Gerald Ford’s special envoy, General Frederick Weyand, who promised to recommend more aid.