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Major Events of April 1911: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1911 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of April 1911: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1911 Imperial Edict for Young Emperor Puyi: An imperial edict was issued for the two-year-old Emperor Puyi, declaring him supreme commander of the army and appointing his father, Prince Chun, as Prince-Regent until Puyi reaches majority.
  • 02 Apr 1911 Founding of Tsinghua University: Tsinghua University was established in Beijing as the Imperial Tsinghua Academy, with an initial enrollment of 468 students. The university was structured with two divisions: a 'middle division' of 325 students taught by 20 Chinese professors, and an advanced division of 143 students instructed by American educators.
  • 03 Apr 1911 Premiere of 'Mrs. Bumsted-Leigh': Harry James Smith's musical comedy 'Mrs. Bumsted-Leigh' premiered at a theater in New York City, marking an interesting moment in early 20th-century American theatrical entertainment.
  • 04 Apr 1911 Imperial Edict for Emperor Puyi: An imperial edict was officially issued for the two-year-old Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty, formally proclaiming him as the supreme commander of the army. Simultaneously, the edict appointed his father, Prince Chun, to serve as Prince-Regent until Puyi reached the age of majority. This event marked a significant moment in the late Qing Dynasty's governance, highlighting the complex royal succession and regency practices of early 20th-century China.
  • 05 Apr 1911 Mayflower's Historic Voyage: The first English separatists, later known as Pilgrims, set sail from Plymouth, England to the New World aboard the Mayflower, marking a pivotal moment in early colonial American history.
  • 06 Apr 1911 BOGUS - Baltimore Racial Segregation Ordinance: Baltimore Mayor J. Barry Mahool signed a deeply discriminatory ordinance prohibiting African-Americans from moving into or establishing businesses in white neighborhoods. This racist legislation exemplified the systemic racism and legal segregation prevalent in early 20th-century American urban environments.
  • 08 Apr 1911 Discovery of Superconductivity: Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovers superconductivity, a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough that reveals certain materials can conduct electricity with zero electrical resistance when cooled to extremely low temperatures. This discovery would later revolutionize fields like electronics, medical imaging, and quantum computing.
  • 09 Apr 1911 Devastating Fire in Tokyo's Yoshiwara District: A catastrophic fire swept through the Yoshiwara district, a historic pleasure quarter of Tokyo known for its geisha houses. The blaze resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis, causing 300 fatalities, injuring 800 people, and rendering approximately 6,000 individuals homeless. This tragic event highlighted the vulnerability of densely populated urban areas with wooden structures in early 20th-century Japan.
  • 10 Apr 1911 Paul Langevin Proposes Twin Paradox in Physics: French physicist Paul Langevin introduced the groundbreaking 'twin paradox' concept, a thought experiment in special relativity that explores time dilation and the effects of high-speed travel on aging. This theoretical proposal would become a fundamental thought experiment in understanding Einstein's theories of relativity.
  • 11 Apr 1911 Imperial Russian State Council Challenges Tsarist Government: The State Council of Imperial Russia approved an unprecedented interpellation resolution criticizing the Tsarist government, with a vote of 98–52. This event signaled growing internal dissent and political tension within the imperial governance structure.
  • 12 Apr 1911 First Non-Stop London-Paris Flight: French aviator Pierre Prier successfully completed the first non-stop flight between London and Paris, covering the distance in an impressive 3 hours and 56 minutes. This groundbreaking aviation achievement marked a significant milestone in early 20th-century transportation and demonstrated the rapidly evolving capabilities of aircraft technology.
  • 13 Apr 1911 Direct Election of U.S. Senators Constitutional Amendment Passed: The U.S. House of Representatives passed a landmark bill for a constitutional amendment requiring direct election of U.S. Senators, with an overwhelming vote of 296 to 16. This significant legislative action marked a pivotal moment in American democratic reform, shifting the selection of senators from state legislatures to popular vote.
  • 14 Apr 1911 Taft's Diplomatic Warning to Mexico: U.S. President William Howard Taft issued a diplomatic warning to the Mexican government and insurgent leaders during the Mexican Revolution, cautioning them to prevent military confrontations near the United States-Mexico border and to avoid escalating regional tensions. This intervention reflected the U.S. government's concern about potential spillover effects of the ongoing Mexican political instability.
  • 15 Apr 1911 Jack Lawrence Theater Opens: The Jack Lawrence Theater (Playhouse) officially opens its doors at 137 W 48th Street in New York City, marking a significant moment in the city's vibrant theatrical landscape of the early 20th century.
  • 16 Apr 1911 Harriet Quimby's Historic Channel Crossing: On this historic day, American aviator Harriet Quimby made aviation history by becoming the first woman to successfully fly across the English Channel. Piloting a French Blériot monoplane, she navigated through challenging heavy overcast conditions, flying from Dover, England, to Hardelot, France. Her groundbreaking achievement not only demonstrated her exceptional flying skills but also challenged the gender norms of early 20th-century aviation, paving the way for future women in aerospace.
  • 17 Apr 1911 Irving Berlin's 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' Debuts: On April 17, 1911, Irving Berlin introduced 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', a groundbreaking musical composition that would become one of the most popular songs of the early 20th century. This ragtime hit marked a significant moment in American popular music, helping to popularize the ragtime genre and establishing Berlin as a major musical innovator. The song's catchy melody and energetic rhythm captured the spirit of the emerging jazz age and became a cultural phenomenon.
  • 18 Apr 1911 Mexican President Porfirio Díaz Resigns Amid U.S. Pressure: In a pivotal moment during the Mexican Revolution, President Porfirio Díaz announced his resignation to the Mexican Congress following diplomatic pressure and implied military threats from U.S. President William Howard Taft. This event marked a critical turning point in Mexican political history, signaling the end of Díaz's 31-year authoritarian regime and paving the way for significant political reforms and social upheaval.
  • 19 Apr 1911 Mexican Revolution: Siege of Ciudad Juárez: During the Mexican Revolution, Francisco I. Madero's revolutionary troops besieged Ciudad Juárez. General Juan J. Navarro refused Madero's surrender demand, intensifying the conflict and highlighting the complex political tensions of the period.
  • 21 Apr 1911 U.S. House Passes Canadian Reciprocity Bill: On April 21, 1911, the United States House of Representatives voted 266-89 to pass the Canadian Reciprocity Bill, a significant piece of trade legislation aimed at reducing tariffs and promoting economic cooperation between the United States and Canada. This bill represented an important moment in bilateral trade relations, seeking to lower economic barriers and facilitate more open commerce between the two North American nations.
  • 22 Apr 1911 Labor Union Leader John J. McNamara Arrested: John J. McNamara, the Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Structural Iron Workers, was arrested in a significant labor dispute that would have major implications for the American labor movement. The arrest was part of a broader context of tension between labor unions and industrial management during the early 20th century, highlighting the complex struggles for workers' rights and organizational representation.
  • 24 Apr 1911 American Intervention in Dominican Republic Presidential Arrest: On April 24, 1911, American military forces arrested Dominican Republic President Carlos Felipe Morales, his vice-president, and a high-ranking general in a significant display of U.S. military intervention in Caribbean political affairs. This event highlighted the United States' growing geopolitical influence in the early 20th century and its willingness to directly interfere in the internal political processes of smaller nations.
  • 25 Apr 1911 Murder in Minnesota: A Collection of True Crime Cases: A comprehensive compilation of documented murder cases from Minnesota, providing insights into early 20th-century criminal investigations and judicial proceedings. This publication likely offers detailed accounts of criminal events, legal processes, and societal perspectives on crime during the Progressive Era.
  • 26 Apr 1911 Australian Constitutional Reform Referendum Fails: On April 26, 1911, Australian voters decisively rejected a referendum proposing to expand the constitutional powers of the Commonwealth government. The referendum was defeated by a significant margin of 60% against to 40% in favor, reflecting the complex political dynamics and regional sensitivities of the time regarding federal governance.
  • 27 Apr 1911 Huanghuagang Uprising: The Huanghuagang Uprising broke out in Canton (Guangzhou), marking a significant moment in the Chinese revolutionary movement. Rebels strategically captured five villages in a bold attempt to challenge the Qing government's control, demonstrating the growing revolutionary sentiment in early 20th century China.
  • 28 Apr 1911 Uneventful Day in 1911: While no specific major historical events were recorded for April 28, 1911, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. During this period, the world was experiencing significant transformations, including technological advancements, colonial expansions, and social changes leading up to World War I. The early 20th century was a time of rapid industrialization, scientific discovery, and geopolitical shifts.
  • 29 Apr 1911 Founding of Tsinghua University: Tsinghua University, a prestigious institution located in Beijing, was established on this date as a preparatory school for Chinese students sponsored by the United States Boxer Indemnity. Originally created to train students for government service, it would later evolve into one of the most renowned universities in mainland China, known for its exceptional academic programs in science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.
  • 30 Apr 1911 Jascha Heifetz's Legendary Violin Debut: On April 30, 1911, ten-year-old violin prodigy Jascha Heifetz made his remarkable debut performance in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This concert would be a pivotal moment in classical music history, heralding the arrival of one of the most extraordinary violinists of the 20th century.