Hundreds of freed Union POWs killed when SS Sultana explodes near Memphis 160 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 27, 1865 at 9:56)

(Thursday, April 27, 1865, 2:00 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — SS Sultana, a Mississippi River side-wheel steamboat exploded this morning in the greatest maritime disaster in United States history. Continue reading Hundreds of freed Union POWs killed when SS Sultana explodes near Memphis 160 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1865) →

North Vietnamese rockets hit Saigon for first time since 1973 ceasefire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1975)

1970s, Cold War, Vietnam War


Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 27, 1975, at 30:00)

(Sunday, April 27, 1975, 4:00 a.m. Saigon Standard Time; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Five rockets dropped into a densely populated Saigon slum today, leaving 5,000 homeless. Continue reading North Vietnamese rockets hit Saigon for first time since 1973 ceasefire 50 years ago this hour (Apr 27 1975) →

Vichy leader Philippe Petain arrested after crossing into France from Switzerland 80 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Marshal Petain’s Fall From Grace | Historical Documentary | Lucasfilm'

(Thursday, April 26, 1945, 8:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, the former head of the collaborationist regime of Vichy France during World War II, was arrested tonight when he returned to French territory after crossing the Swiss frontier at La Ferriere sous Joigne.

General Johnston surrenders 89,270 Confederate soldiers to General Sherman 160 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 26, 1865 at 26:31)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1865, approximately 2:00 p.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — After three separate days (April 17, 18 and 26, 1865) of negotiations, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston surrendered the Army of Tennessee and all remaining Confederate forces still active in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida to Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman today at the Bennett Farm in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. Continue reading General Johnston surrenders 89,270 Confederate soldiers to General Sherman 160 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865) →

Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth fatally shot by Union soldiers 160 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.9of9.The.Better.Angels.Of.Our.Nature' (Apr. 26, 1865 at 26:06)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1865, approximately 3:15 a.m. local time; during the American Civil War) — John Wilkes Booth, the 26-year-old assassin of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, died this morning about five hours after the men of the 16th New York Cavalry surrounded the tobacco barn he was sleeping in at Richard H. Garrett’s farm, just south of Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia. Continue reading Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth fatally shot by Union soldiers 160 years ago this hour (Apr 26 1865) →

Conference to form United Nations meets in San Francisco 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945)

1940s


Video: 'United Nations Open Conference As San Francisco (1945)'

(Wednesday, April 25, 1945, Truman delivers address at 4:35 p.m. PWT; during World War II) — Delegates from some 50 countries gathered in San Francisco today to organize the United Nations. Continue reading Conference to form United Nations meets in San Francisco 80 years ago this hour (Apr 25 1945) →