September 04

Thursday 04, 1997:

A U.S. Air Force C-141 cargo plane and a German TU-154 collide in mid-air over southwest Africa killing 33. <!--can we get a more specific location than "SW Africa"? --->

Wednesday 04, 1996:

War on Drugs: Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) attack a military base in Guaviare, starting three weeks of guerrilla warfare that will claim the lives of at least 130 Colombians.

Monday 04, 1995:

The Fourth World Conference on Women opens in Beijing with over 4,750 delegates from 181 countries in attendance.

Monday 04, 1972:

Mark Spitz wins his seventh swimming gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, becoming the first Olympian to win seven gold medals.

Saturday 04, 1971:

In the U.S., The Lawrence Welk Show airs its last show.

Monday 04, 1967:

Vietnam War: Operation Swift begins: U.S. Marines launch a search-and-destroy mission in Quang Nam and Quang Tin Provinces. The ensuingfour-day battle in Que Son Valley kills 114 Americans and 376 North Vietnamese.

Friday 04, 1964:

Scotland's Forth Road Bridge, near Edinburgh, officially opens.

Wednesday 04, 1963:

Swissair Flight 306 crashes near Dürrenäsch, Switzerland, killing all on board.

Wednesday 04, 1957:

The Ford Motor Company introduces the Edsel.

Tuesday 04, 1951:

The first live transcontinental television broadcast takes place in San Francisco, California, from the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference.

Monday 04, 1950:

The "Beetle Bailey" comic strip begins.

Sunday 04, 1949:

Maiden flight of the Bristol Brabazon.

Saturday 04, 1948:

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands abdicates for health reasons.

Tuesday 04, 1945:

World War II: Japanese forces surrender on Wake Island after hearing word of their nation's surrender.

Monday 04, 1944:

World War II: The British 11th Armoured Division liberate the Belgian city of Antwerp.

Wednesday 04, 1940:

World War II: The USS Greer becomes the first United States ship fired upon by a German submarine in the war, even though the United States is a neutral power. Tension heightens between the two nations as a result.

Tuesday 04, 1923:

In Lakehurst, New Jersey, the first U.S. airship, the USS Shenandoah, takes to the sky for the first time.

Tuesday 04, 1894:

In New York City, 12,000 tailors strike against sweatshop working conditions.

Tuesday 04, 1888:

George Eastman registers the trademark Kodak, and receives a patent for his camera which uses roll film.

Saturday 04, 1886:

Indian Wars: After almost 30 years of fighting, Apache leader Geronimo surrenders with his last band of warriors to General Nelson Miles at Skeleton Canyon in Arizona.

Sunday 04, 1870:

Emperor Napoleon III of France is deposed and the Third Republic is declared.

Tuesday 04, 1781:

Los Angeles, California, is founded as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora La Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula (the City of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of the Little Portion) by a group of 44 Spanish settlers.

Saturday 04, 1260:

The Senese Ghibellines, supported by the forces of King Manfred of Sicily, defeat the Florentine Guelphs at Montaperti.

Friday 04, 476:

Romulus Augustus, the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, is deposed when Odoacer proclaims himself King of Italy.

More on September, 04

• People Born on September, 04
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