Ken P's Today in History
April 4

Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
URL: http://kpolsson.com/today/
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What happened in history on this day: April 4?

Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics, creating several timelines of history. Here you will find specific events from those databases for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company, Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins.

On April 4 in ...

Personal computer history:

  • 1979 - The International Computer Programs awards Microsoft the Million Dollar Award for its 8080 BASIC. This is Microsoft's first corporate recognition from the industry, and the first microprocessor product to win this award.
  • 1989 - IBM announces that it began manufacturing a version of the 80386 processor several months ago.
  • 1989 - IBM announces a new version of the PS/2 Model 30 computer.
  • 1994 - Jim Clark and Marc Andreesson incorporate Mosaic Communications. Original choice of company name was Electric Media.
  • 1997 - Apple Computer introduces new Power Macintosh 6500 systems, with 225 to 300 MHz PowerPC 603e processors. Prices range from US$1999 to US$2999.

Walt Disney Company history:

  • 1927 - Film Booking Offices releases the Alice Comedy film Alice's Auto Race to theaters. This is the last Alice Comedy with actor Margie Gay as Alice.
  • 1941 - Disney publishes the last issue of The Bulletin, the studio's employee newsletter.
  • 1944 - RKO Pictures re-releases the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in theaters in New York.
  • 1952 - The Goofy film Man's Best Friend is released.
  • 1956 - The ABC TV network airs the Disneyland TV show, entitled Where do the Stories Come From?.
  • 1960 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awards an Oscar (Scientific or Technical, Class III) to Ub Iwerks for the design of an optical printer for special effects.
  • 1965 - The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Kilroy, part four.
  • 1994 - Michael Eisner temporarily assumes the titles of president and chief operating officer at Disney.
  • 1995 - Disney releases the animated film compilation Ariel's Songs and Stories on laserdisc in the US, for US$30. It includes Wish Upon a Starfish, Metal Fish, Giggles, Against the Tide.
  • 1995 - Disney releases the laserdisc Jasmine's Enchanted Tales (Disney Princess Collection) for US$30. It contains several episodes of the Aladdin TV series: Do the Rat Thing, Bad Mood Rising, Garden of Evil, Elemental My Dear Jasmine.
  • 1995 - Disney hires Stephen Bollenbach as chief financial officer.
  • 1997 - Knight-Ridder announces it is buying four newspapers from the Walt Disney Company for US$1.65 billion. The newspapers are The Kansas Star in Missouri, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Belleville News-Democrat in Illinois, and The Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The newspapers were acquired by Disney in its acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC. This is the largest single purchase ever of newspapers.
  • 1999 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US.
    • An amusement park on the Moon makes several references to Disney theme parks:
    • it is referred to as "The Happiest Place Orbiting the Earth";
    • inside the main park gate is "Moon Street U.S.A." (Main Street U.S.A.);
    • the attraction "Whalers of the Sea of Tranquility" is a parody of Pirates of the Caribbean;
    • the attraction "Monsanto presents The Goofy Gopher Revue" is a parody of Country Bear Jamboree;
    • the attraction "Destination Moon" may be a parody of Flight to the Moon, with mechanically animated characters and singing similar to It's a Small World;
    • employees who create the attractions are called Fungineers (Imagineers).

  • 1999 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A devil-like character rises from a castle like the scene in Fantasia where the Chernabog rises from the mountain. Part of the same music also plays.
  • 2014 - Disney releases the Marvel Studios film Captain America: The Winter Soldier to theaters in the USA.

Chevrolet Corvette history:

  • 1960 - At General Motor's Design Studio, Larry Shinoda completes a second full-size clay model of project XP-720, for the 1963 Corvette. The model is shown to General Motors' management, and compared to a production 1960 model. The new design is approved.

World War II history:

  • 1940 - The Danish envoy in Berlin passes on to the Danish government information about a German plan for a surprise attack on Denmark. The government considers the report a rumor, or a test of Danish reactions.
  • 1941 - Quote by Adolf Hitler to Japanese Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka: "... Germany would... prompty take part in case of a conflict between Japan and America...".
  • 1941 - The Canadian federal cabinet introduces Order In Council PC 2385, The Merchant Seamen Order, giving authorities power to detain disobedient seamen from ships of any registry in Canadian ports.
  • 1941 - Adolf Hitler issues Directive No. 27, ordering the destruction of the remaining Yugoslav forces, and the launching of a decisive attack against Anglo-Greek forces in northern Greece.
  • 1941 - General Olof Thörnell, commander of Swedish forces, issues a report to government, stating that Sweden should prepare to participate in a war against the Soviet Union, for the sake of Finland, Sweden's future position, and prestige in northern Europe.
  • 1941 - Benghazi falls to the Germans.
  • 1942 - Japanese forces make another attack on Bataan.
  • 1942 - In a PBY-5 Catalina flying boat, Canadian Squadron Leader Leonard Birchall radios a warning to Ceylon that the Japanese fleet is closing in on the island. The warning helps Allied forces prepare for the coming attack. Ships in harbor scatter, and Admiral James Somerville move five battleships and three aircraft carriers 600 miles southwest to Addu Atoll. Birchall's plane is shot down, killing three of his crew.
  • 1945 - Soviet forces clear the last Germany forces out of Hungary.
  • 1950 - Hungary issues four postage stamps marking the 5th anniversary of the liberation.
  • 1955 - Hungary issues four postage stamps marking the 10th anniversary of the liberation.
  • 1960 - Hungary issues two postage stamps marking the 15th anniversary of the liberation.
  • 1960 - The USSR issues a postage stamp marking the 15th anniversary of the liberation of Hungary.
  • 1970 - The USSR issues a postage stamp marking the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Hungary.
  • 1985 - The USSR issues a postage stamp marking the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Hungary.

Video game history:

  • 1999 - The Fox Broadcasting Company airs the Futurama TV show in the US. Several references to actual arcade video games are shown: Gender Neutral Pac Person (Pac Man), Mortal Kooperation (Mortal Kombat); security patrols at the arcade are called Moon Patrol, the same name as an arcade video game.
  • 2006 - Eidos releases the Commandos: Strike Force video game for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in the US.
  • 2017 - Sega releases the Persona 5 video game for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 in the USA.

Swedish history:

  • 1611 - Copenhagen issues a declaration of war on Sweden.
  • 1632 - (evening) King Gustav Adolf's forces cross the river Lech at Rain.
  • 1930 - Queen Viktoria dies, in Rome.
  • 1941 - General Olof Thörnell, commander of Swedish forces, issues a report to government, stating that Sweden should prepare to participate in a war against the Soviet Union, for the sake of Finland, Sweden's future position, and prestige in northern Europe.

Canadian coin history:

  • 1935 - Finance Minister Edgar N. Rhodes strikes the second silver dollar minted in Canada.
  • 1995 - Environomics Research Group completes its survey to canvas public opinion on the design theme for a circulating $2 coin. 44 percent indicated wildlife as their first choice, of which 5 percent said they favored a bear, of which 2 percent specified a polar bear.
  • 2005 - The Royal Canadian Mint releases a $1 coin commemorating Terry Fox's run to raise money for cancer research. The design was created by Stan Witten.

USA coin history:

  • 1793 - The Mint resumes production of 1-cent coins, with a wreath replacing the previous chain design.
  • 1794 - Albion Cox is appointed as US Mint assayer.
  • 1906 - The Denver Mint first strikes double eagles for circulation.
  • 2011 - The US Mint releases the 2011 Glacier National Park quarter dollar to circulation.

Sports history:

  • 1899 - South Africa all out 35 in cricket versus England (Trott 4-19, Haigh 6-11).
  • 1911 - Hugh Chalmers, automaker, suggests idea of baseball Most Valuable Player.
  • 1921 - Stanley Cup: Ottawa Senators (NHL) beat Vancouver Millionaires (PCHA), three games to 2.
  • 1929 - First Amateur Athletic Union Greco-Roman wrestling championships held.
  • 1930 - Andrew Sandham makes Test Cricket first triple century.
  • 1930 - Les Ames makes the first Test Cricket century by a wicketkeeper (149).
  • 1937 - 4th Golf Masters Championship: Byron Nelson wins, shooting a 283.
  • 1938 - 5th Golf Masters Championship: Henry Picard wins, shooting a 285.
  • 1948 - 84-year-old Connie Mack challenges 78-year-old Clark Griffith to a race from home to first base; it ends in a tie.
  • 1954 - Louise Suggs wins LPGA Carrollton Georgia Golf Open.
  • 1965 - Mickey Wright wins LPGA Baton Rouge Golf Invitational.
  • 1970 - Firestone World Tournament of Champions won by Don Johnson.
  • 1974 - Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth's home-run record by hitting his 714th.
  • 1976 - 5th Colgate Dinah Shore Golf Championship won by Judy Rankin.
  • 1982 - 11th Nabisco Dinah Shore Golf Championship won by Sally Little.
  • 1983 - 45th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: North Carolina State beats Houston 54-52.
  • 1985 - Tulane University cancels its basketball season amidst scandal.
  • 1986 - Wayne Gretzky sets NHL record with 213th point of season.
  • 1988 - 50th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Kansas beats Oklahoma 83-79.
  • 1988 - Eddie Hill becomes first to drag race a quarter mile in under 5 seconds.
  • 1988 - Largest crowd (55,438) at a season game at Riverfront (Cincinnati Reds vs Saint Louis Cardinals).
  • 1988 - New York Mets set Opening Day record with six homeruns.
  • 1989 - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's last NBA game in Seattle.
  • 1989 - New York Yankees' Tommy John ties record of playing 26 seasons; his 287th win puts him 19th overall as New York Yankees beat Minnesota Twins on opening day 4-2.
  • 1992 - Game 1 of Mayor Challenge - New York Yankees beat New York Mets 6-4 at Yankee Stadium.
  • 1993 - 12th NCAA Women's Basketball Champion: Texas Tech beats Ohio State 84-82.
  • 1993 - 5th Seniors Golf Tradition: Tom Shaw.
  • 1993 - At Camden Yards, Bill Clinton becomes the first U.S. president to throw the first pitch of the baseball season from the pitcher's mound.
  • 1993 - Trish Johnson wins Las Vegas LPGA at Canyon Gate Golf Tournament.
  • 1994 - First game played at Jacobs Field; Cleveland Indians beat Seattle Mariners 4-3 in 11 innings.
  • 1994 - 56th NCAA Men's Basketball Champion: Arkansas Razorbacks beats Duke 76-72.
  • 1994 - Largest opening day crowd at Yankee Stadium, 56,706.
  • 1997 - Anaheim Ducks clinch their first-ever playoff berth.
  • 1997 - Atlanta Braves officially open Turner Field against Chicago Cubs.
  • 1998 - NFL Europe (formerly WLAF), kicks off season.
  • 2005 - North Carolina defeats Illinois 75-70 to win the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis, Missouri.
  • 2018 - (to April 15) The 2018 Commonwealth Games are held in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
  • 2022 - At crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Calgary Flames beats Los Angeles Kings by score 3-2.
  • 2022 - At Enterprise Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, USA, NHL regular season game: Saint Louis Blues beats Arizona Coyotes by score 5-1.
  • 2022 - At Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, USA, NHL regular season game: Toronto Maple Leafs beats Tampa Bay Lightning by score 6-2.
  • 2022 - At Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, USA, NHL regular season game: Boston Bruins beats Columbus Blue Jackets by score 3-2.

Space exploration history:

  • 1960 - Project Ozma begins at Green Bank radio astronomy center.
  • 1968 - Apollo 6 launched atop Saturn V rocket; unmanned.
  • 1983 - 6th space shuttle mission, Challenger 1 launched.
  • 1996 - Comet Hyakutake is imaged by the USA Asteroid Orbiter Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous.
  • 1997 - DMSP Titan 2 launched.
  • 1997 - STS 83 (Columbia 22), launches.

USA history:

  • 1794 - Albion Cox is appointed as US Mint assayer.
  • 1818 - US Congress decides US flag is 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars.
  • 1850 - City of Los Angeles is incorporated.
  • 1862 - Battle of Yorktown, Virginia begins.
  • 1862 - US begins Peninsular Campaign aimed at capturing Richmond, Virginia.
  • 1864 - Skirmish at Elkin's Ford (Little Missouri River), Arkansas.
  • 1902 - Cecil Rhodes scholarship fund is established with US$10 million.
  • 1916 - US Senate agrees (82-6) to participate in European war.
  • 1932 - Vitamin C first isolated, by C C King, at University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • 1933 - US dirigible Akron crashes off coast of New Jersey, 73 die.
  • 1945 - US forces liberated the German death camp Ohrdruf in Germany.
  • 1945 - US tanks/infantry conquer Bielefeld.
  • 1949 - North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pact signed in Washington DC by US, Britain, France and Canada.
  • 1960 - 32nd Academy Awards - Ben-Hur, Charlton Heston, and Simone Signoret win.
  • 1962 - George Krutilek, accountant for financial scam linked to Lyndon Johnson, dead of carbon monoxide poisoning, called suicide, but had been hit on head prior to death.
  • 1966 - US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site.
  • 1968 - Apollo 6 launched atop Saturn V rocket; unmanned.
  • 1968 - Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, civil rights leader, is assassinated by a sniper's bullet in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, at age 39. James Earl Ray is set up as a patsy for a shot fired from a different direction than where he was.
  • 1975 - US Air Force transport carrying orphans from Saigon, Vietnam crashes killing 155.
  • 1975 - Microsoft is founded as a partnership between Bill Gates and Paul Allen.
  • 1983 - 6th space shuttle mission, Challenger 1 launched.
  • 1984 - U.S. President Ronald Reagan calls for an international ban on chemical weapons.
  • 1988 - Governor Evan Mecham of Arizona is convicted in his impeachment trial and removed from office.
  • 1993 - At Camden Yards, Bill Clinton becomes the first U.S. president to throw the first pitch of the baseball season from the pitcher's mound.
  • 1994 - Marc Andreessen and Jim Clark found Mosaic Communications (later renamed Netscape).
  • 2009 - In Binghampton, New York, USA, a gunman kills 13 people in the American Civic Association building after taking dozens hostage, then kills himself.
  • 2022 - Stack's Bowers Galleries sells at auction a unique 1839 gold Daniel Morgan at Cowpens medal, Specimen-63 PCGS, for US$960,000.

Other history:

  • 1581 - Francis Drake completes circumnavigation of the world and is knighted.
  • 1905 - Earthquake in Kangra India, kills 370,000.
  • 1949 - North Atlantic Treaty (NATO), pact signed by USA, Great Britain, France, and Canada.

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