April 4th seems like every other day – right? Sunshine, spring flowers, even rain showers depending on where you are in the world. However, today’s pretty impressive for a variety of different reasons! Happy birthday if you’re celebrating today, but otherwise, here are a few notable reasons why we should all remember April 4th for years to come.
On this day
1Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
On April 4th, 1968, African-American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. He died in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving behind his wife and four children. He’s arguably one of the most important icons in the race equality movement.
2Riots broke out across the nation.
After Luther King Jr. was assassinated, the US exploded into riots and tension – with more than over 100 cities under siege until at least May 27th, 1968.
3Microsoft was founded.
If you happen to be reading this article on a Microsoft device, then you should know that April 4th, 1975, was the day that started it all! It was the date that Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft together – they went on to create some of the most important operating systems in computing history. Where would we be without Windows?
4Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for the last time in the NBA.
World-famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar marked April 4th, 1989, by playing his last ever game in the NBA over in Seattle. The sports legend has also made his mark as an actor, activist, and writer – he was even a cultural ambassador for the US under President Barack Obama.
5The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted new members.
April 4th, 2009 was also a very important date for musicians! It was the date that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Jeff Beck, Metallica, Bill Black, Bobby Womack, and Run DMC.
6Elon Musk took over Twitter.
In 2022, Elon Musk bought 9.2% of Twitter stock on April 4th. It officially made him the company’s biggest shareholder. Musk’s tenure at the top of Twitter has driven some controversies, particularly over the dawn of the premium ‘blue tick’ service brought in to help monetize the platform.
Special Days Falling on April 4th
April 4th is a day for celebration – whether or not it’s already a special day for you, here are a few reasons why people are marking today across the nation and around the world.
National Vitamin C Day
We all need some vitamin C in our lives! Vitamin C is great for keeping colds and cases of flu at bay, reducing blood pressure, and can even lower the risk of gout and heart disease! So, this National Vitamin C day, enjoy an orange or two and brush up on just how beneficial vitamin C is for your health!
National School Librarian Day
Where would we be without our school librarians? They work all day to make sure that we have access to the information we need when we need it. And, most of the time, it’s a pretty thankless job! Thank your librarian today – or, at least, be quiet when you’re asked to be!
National Walk Around Things Day
National Walk Around Things Day is pretty much up for interpretation! It can be seen as a day to celebrate missing the pointy-edged objects in our homes, puddles, glass doors, etc., and the general things we walk into by accident!
It can also be seen as a day to take the time to walk around the places we love, such as the park, the mall, the woods, etc. Either way, walk with purpose on April 4th.
This month in history
Elvis Presley had his first number-one hit! The King himself made history with his first chart-topping smash that went on to become a rock and roll classic, “Heartbreak Hotel”.
Famous Birthdays on April 4th
- Dorothea Dix, American nurse and social activist, born 1802
- Maya Angelou, American author, born 1928
- Anthony Perkins, American actor, born 1932
- Graham Norton, Irish comedian and TV presenter, born 1963
- Robert Downey Jr., American actor, born 1965
If you were born on April 4th…
…you’re an Aries! You’re fierce, motivated, and a great person to have in a crisis or at a party! Want to know more about this fire sign? Check out our Aries Facts page!
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