Oklahoma Land Run
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.
Government
Battle of San Jacinto
On April 21, 1836, Texan soldiers led a swift attack on an unsuspecting Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto. It was the final, decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.
Emancipation Day in Washington, DC
On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. The act freed over 3,100 people enslaved in the US capital nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation would free all enslaved people in the US.
Movie Stars Hit Streets to Sell War Bonds
On April 8, 1918, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks held a war bond drive on Wall Street to bolster support for the war effort.
Formation of the World Health Organization
On April 7, 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) was officially created as a specialized agency of the United Nations. The WHO coordinates international efforts to combat outbreaks of infectious diseases and conduct research and education.
Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Sweden
On April 3, 1783, the US signed the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Sweden, the first such treaty between the US and a country that wasn’t an ally in the Revolutionary War.
Boat Stamps Issued
On April 1, 1960, the US issued two boat stamps for use on motorboat applications. The stamps were part of an effort to promote boating safety in collaboration with the Coast Guard.
US Purchases Alaska
On March 30, 1867, US Secretary of State William Seward purchased Alaska from Russia in what many at the time called “Seward’s Folly.”
Cherry Trees Planted Along the Potomac
On March 27, 1912, US First Lady Helen Taft and wife of the Japanese ambassador Viscountess Chinda Iwa planted two Yoshina cherry trees on the northern bank of the Potomac River. The plantings were in celebration of the Japanese gift of 3,020 cherry trees to the US government.