Monthly Archives: April 2025

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffers massive stroke 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'FDR: A Presidency Revealed: Part 18' (Apr. 12, 1945, at 7:22)

(Thursday, April 12, 1945, approximately 1:00 p.m. Central War Time; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 63, was stricken by a massive cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) today at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia, while artist Elizabeth Shoumatoff painted his portrait in the living room in the presence of Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd (with whom he had resumed an extramarital affair), two cousins and his dog Fala. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt suffers massive stroke 80 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1945) →

Nazi transit camp Westerbork liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 12 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Camp Westerbork: the 'Perfect Camp' in German-Occupied Netherlands in World War II'

(Thursday, April 12, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Nazi transit camp Westerbork near Hooghalen, in the northeastern Netherlands, where Romani and Dutch Jews were assembled for transport to other Nazi concentration camps, was liberated today by Canadian troops. Continue reading Nazi transit camp Westerbork liberated 80 years ago today (Apr 12 1945) →

Formal ceremony marks disbandment of the Army of Northern Virginia 160 years ago this (Apr 12 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.8of9.War.Is.All.Hell' (Apr. 12, 1865, at 1:00:43)

(Wednesday, April 12, 1865 estimated between 9:00-10:00 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — A formal ceremony today marked the disbandment of the Army of Northern Virginia and the parole of its officers and men, effectively ending the war in Virginia. Continue reading Formal ceremony marks disbandment of the Army of Northern Virginia 160 years ago this (Apr 12 1865) →

Sen. Jake Garn becomes first sitting member of Congress to fly in space 40 years ago this hour (Apr 12 1985)

1980s


Video: 'STS-51D launch & landing (4-12-85)'

(Friday, April 12, 1985, 13:59:05 UTC) — A crew of seven, including Sen. Jake Garn (R-Utah), the first sitting member of Congress to fly in space, rocketed into orbit today aboard the space shuttle Discovery to deliver two satellites and conduct a variety of scientific tests.

Last Americans leave Cambodia 50 years ago today (Apr 12 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-9) Cambodia and Laos' (Apr. 12, 1975, at 49:12)

(Saturday, April 12, 1975; during the Cambodian Civil War, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Operation Eagle Pull, the United States military evacuation by air of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, began today as helicopters rescued remaining Americans to a naval task force in the Gulf of Thailand.

South Vietnamese troops move into position at Xuan Loc 50 years ago today (Apr 12 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 12, 1975, at 38:49)

(Saturday, April 12, 1975; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese forces moved into position today to confront General Van Tien Dung’s North Vietnamese communist troops in Long Khanh province at Xuan Loc, on the main road to Saigon.

Lincoln calls for reconciliation and black suffrage as Confederate sympathizer plots his assassination 160 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1865)

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


Video: 'Lincolns Final Speech - April 11, 1865 - Audio'

(Tuesday, April 11, 1865, approximately 8:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — Two days after Lee’s army surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his last public speech from a White House window to a crowd on the lawn, saying, “We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart.” Continue reading Lincoln calls for reconciliation and black suffrage as Confederate sympathizer plots his assassination 160 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1865) →

President Lyndon B. Johnson signs education bill at his old school 60 years ago this hour (Apr 11 1965)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Signing of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 4/11/65.'

(Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965, 4:20 p.m. CST) — U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed today the $1.3 billion aid-to-education bill at the old country school in Johnson City, Texas, where he had his first lessons.