Happy Birthday Tito Puente
American musician and songwriter Tito Puente was born on April 20, 1923, in New York City, New York.
American History
Opening of Original Yankee Stadium
On April 18, 1923, the Yankees played their first game in “The House that Ruth Built.”
Verrazzano Explores New York Harbor
On April 17, 1524, Giovanni da Verrazzano became the first European to see New York harbor.
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.
Death of President Lincoln
On April 15, 1865, President Lincoln died less than 12 hours after being shot by John Wilkes Booth. He was the first US president to be assassinated, just as the Civil War was drawing to a close.
USS Holland
On April 11, 1900, the US Navy acquired the USS Holland, their first modern commissioned submarine.
ASPCA
On April 10, 1866, Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The first animal welfare organization in North America, it remains committed to sheltering abandoned animals and offering adoption programs, among other services.
Lee Surrenders at Appomattox
On April 9, 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War. The respect both men showed toward each other led the surrender to be called “The Gentlemen’s Agreement.”
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.