April 6 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Historical Events

2005

Jalal Talabani became the first democratically elected president of Iraq

A Kurdish politician and longtime opposition leader, Talabani's election marked a significant milestone in Iraq's post-Saddam Hussein transition. He w...

1998

Pakistan test-fired its first medium-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads

The Ghauri missile test marked Pakistan's emergence as a major military power in South Asia, escalating regional tensions with India. The missile was...

1973

Pioneer 11 was launched toward Jupiter and Saturn

The NASA space probe became the first spacecraft to study Saturn up close, discovering new moons and rings. It also carried a plaque with a message fo...

1968

Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey' premiered in Washington, D.C.

The groundbreaking science fiction film initially received mixed reviews, with some audience members walking out during the premiere. It's now conside...

1917

The United States entered World War I by declaring war on Germany

Major

President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war, stating the world must be made 'safe for democracy.' This marked America's entry int...

1909

Robert Peary claimed to have reached the North Pole

Major

American explorer Robert Peary and his team allegedly became the first humans to reach the geographic North Pole, though this claim remains controvers...

1896

A Greek athlete collapsed after winning a gymnastics event but was revived with a glass of wine

During the first modern Olympics, gymnast Ioannis Mitropoulos fainted from exhaustion after his victory. Officials poured wine down his throat to revi...

1896

The first modern Olympic marathon was won by a Greek water carrier who had never run a full marathon before

Spyridon Louis, a 24-year-old Greek shepherd and water carrier, won the inaugural Olympic marathon despite having no formal athletic training. He stop...

1896

The first modern Olympic Games opened in Athens, Greece

Major

After a 1,500-year hiatus, the Olympic Games were revived in Athens with 241 athletes from 14 nations competing in 43 events. The United States won th...

1830

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded

Joseph Smith organized the church in upstate New York with just six members present at the founding meeting. The religion would grow to become one of...

1814

Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as Emperor of France for the first time

Major

After his defeat and the occupation of Paris by coalition forces, Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was exiled to the island of Elba. He famously es...

1652

Jan van Riebeeck established a resupply camp at the Cape of Good Hope, founding what would become Cape Town

The Dutch East India Company sent van Riebeeck to create a rest stop for ships traveling to Asia. This small settlement grew into South Africa's legis...