This Day in History: April 4

Founding of Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft, a leading developer of computer software, was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Redmond, Washington, USA. Their most popular products include the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office productivity suite. Windows Vista was released in 2006. Microsoft remains one of the world’s largest software companies.

International Mine Awareness Day

The United Nations raises awareness about the dangers of landmines on International Mine Awareness Day. Events are held to educate the public about the threat of mine explosions and to promote programs for mine clearance and safety.

Also Read: This Day in History: April 3

Simran Bagga’s Birthday

Popular Tollywood actress Simran was born in Mumbai in 1976. She made her Telugu film debut in the movie “Boys and Girls” (Boygari Pelli) directed by Sarath. Simran acted in numerous films in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam between 1999 and 2004.

Birthday of Chilukuri Ramachandra Reddy

Chilukuri Ramachandra Reddy, an Indian politician, was born in 1944 in Khodad, Talamadu Mandal, Adilabad District. He served four terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Adilabad constituency in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1978, 1985, 1989, 2004). Reddy retired from politics in 2009.

Death of William Henry Harrison

William Henry Harrison, the ninth President of the United States, died in office in 1841 after only 31 days, making him the shortest-serving president in American history. Born in Charles City, Virginia in 1773, Harrison also served as a military officer.

Also Read: This Day in History: April 2

Death of Sir William Crookes

The eminent British physicist and chemist Sir William Crookes died in London in 1919. Credited with discovering the element thallium in 1861 through spectroscopic research, Crookes also invented the cathode ray tube, known as the “Crookes tube.” He conducted research on gemstones and ultraviolet radiation, and his work contributed to the development of sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays.

Death of Wilhelm Ostwald

German-born chemist and philosopher Wilhelm Ostwald died in 1932 near Leipzig, Germany. Ostwald’s research focused on electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, and reaction rates. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909.

Death of Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr., the renowned American civil rights leader and Baptist minister, was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1929, King emerged as a powerful voice during the Civil Rights Movement. A gifted orator and social reformer, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 at the age of 35 in recognition of his non-violent movement against racial segregation and discrimination.

Also Read: This Day in History: April 1

Death of Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert, a celebrated film critic, historian, and writer, passed away in Chicago in 2013. Ebert served as a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 to 2013. He became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for criticism in 1975.

Other Glimpses from World History on April 4

• Indian social worker and philanthropist Raja Narsagoud passed away in 1948. Born in the Nizamabad district in 1866, Narsagoud dedicated his wealth to community service and charity.
• A devastating earthquake struck the Kangra Valley in the present-day states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, India in 1905. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake claimed over 20,000 lives.
• Dr. Denton Cooley implanted the first artificial heart in a human patient in 1969.