On April 30, 1904, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition opened to the public. The largest fair up to that time, opening day also marked the issue of a set of five stamps commemorating the exposition and the purchase.
On April 29, 1961, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded. The world’s largest conservation organization, the WWF supports around 3,000 projects in 100 countries.
On April 28, 1948, Fort Sumter National Monument was established to preserve the site where the opening shots of the Civil War were fired. Twelve years later, nearby Fort Moultrie was added to the protected area. Together, they honor and preserve generations of American seacoast defense from the American Revolution to World War II.
Rogers Hornsby, Sr., was born on April 27, 1896, in Winters, Texas. Considered one of the best hitters of all time, some of his records remain unbroken today.
On April 26, 1907, the Jamestown Exposition opened at Sewell’s Point in Norfolk, Virginia. It celebrated the 300th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in America.
On April 25, 1959, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. Construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway was nearly as ambitious as the Panama Canal project.
On April 24, 1890, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs was founded. It’s one of the world’s oldest and largest women’s volunteer service organizations.
Renowned playwright, poet, and actor, William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. Today, Shakespeare is considered the greatest English writer, England’s national poet and the Bard of Avon.
On April 22, 1889, the first land rush into the Unassigned Lands of Oklahoma kicked off at high noon. By evening, 50,000 families settled in Oklahoma and two cities were established with populations over 10,000 each.