This Day In History, April 6th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on April 6th.
1896 - The first modern Olympic Games were officially opened in Athens, Greece. The games were revived after nearly 1,500 years since the last games were held in ancient Greece.
1917 - The United States entered World War I, declaring war on Germany after several American ships were sunk by German submarines.
1965 - The first commercial communications satellite, called Early Bird, was launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida, by NASA.
1994 saw the commencement of the Rwandan genocide when Hutu extremists began killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus. A rough estimate puts the death toll at 800,000 over the period of 100 days.
Donetsk People's Republic's 2014 declaration of independence from Ukraine set off a still-going confrontation between pro-Russian rebels and the Ukrainian government.
The first modern Olympic Games were officially opened in Athens, Greece. The games were revived after nearly 1,500 years since the last games were held in ancient Greece.
On April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were formally inaugurated in Athens, Greece. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which Baron Pierre de Coubertin formed in 1894, was in charge of planning the games. Athletes from 14 nations competed in 43 events in the first modern Olympics, which included wrestling, weightlifting, cycling, fencing, and athletics. With the exception of World Wars I and II, the games have been staged every four years since they were a huge success. With thousands of competitors participating in a variety of sports, the modern Olympics have grown to be the biggest sporting event in the world.
April 6th, 1917 - The United States entered World War I, declaring war on Germany after several American ships were sunk by German submarines.
The United States officially entered World War I on April 6, 1917, when it declared war on Germany. The choice was taken following the sinking of numerous American ships by German submarines and Germany's unsuccessful attempt to get Mexico to declare war on the United States. Although President Woodrow Wilson believed it was important for the United States to assist the war effort, the country had endeavored to maintain its neutral stance in the conflict as public opinion had started to swing against Germany. The United States' involvement in the conflict significantly aided the Allies in defeating the Central Powers.
1965 - The first commercial communications satellite, called Early Bird, was launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida, by NASA.
Early Bird, also known as Intelsat I, was the first commercial communications satellite that was sent into orbit by NASA on April 6, 1965, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In order to facilitate dependable and effective long-distance telephone connection between Europe and North America, a satellite was developed. It established the capability of utilizing satellites to send television and other sorts of communication signals throughout the world, and it was a significant turning point in the development of satellite communications. Early Bird's success opened the door for the creation of subsequent communications satellites, which are now an essential component of contemporary telecommunications networks.
1994 - The genocide in Rwanda began, with Hutu extremists starting to massacre Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Over the course of 100 days, an estimated 800,000 people were killed.
The Rwandan genocide commenced on April 6, 1994, when Hutu extremists started killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus. One of the biggest tragedies of the 20th century, it is claimed that 800,000 people were slaughtered over the period of 100 days. The killing of Hutu president of Rwanda Juvénal Habyarimana in a plane crash on April 6, 1994, served as the impetus for the genocide. Extremist Hutu groups claimed responsibility for the murder and used it as justification for the genocide against the Tutsis. The genocide continued until July 1994, when the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) took power after the international community failed to act effectively. Rwanda was left in ruins during the genocide, with a collapsed economy.
2014 - The separatist group Donetsk People's Republic declared independence from Ukraine, sparking a conflict between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian separatists that continues to this day.
Donetsk People's Republic's declaration of independence from Ukraine on April 6, 2014 set off a battle between the Ukrainian government and pro-Russian rebels that is still going on today. The Donetsk and Luhansk rebels, who are primarily seeking stronger links with Russia, have received help from Russian armed personnel and weaponry. The conflict has caused substantial political and economic unrest in Ukraine as well as thousands of fatalities and house displacements. Despite several attempts at ceasefires and peace deals, the conflict has not yet been permanently resolved.