Major Events of April 1916: 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 1916 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of April 1916: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Apr 1916 Execution of Gabrielle Petit - World War I Resistance Hero: Gabrielle Petit, a courageous 23-year-old Belgian citizen, was executed by German forces by firing squad during World War I. She was arrested and charged with espionage after gathering and transmitting critical intelligence about German military movements to Allied forces. Her brave actions and ultimate sacrifice made her a symbol of resistance against German occupation during the war.
02 Apr 1916 Battle of Verdun: German Advance in Bois de Caillette: During the Battle of Verdun, German troops successfully advanced and overtook the strategic Bois de Caillette (Caillette Woods) on the Western Front. This wooded area was a critical location in the intense fighting between German and French forces, representing part of the German offensive to break through French defensive lines.
03 Apr 1916 Uplees Munitions Factory Explosion: A catastrophic explosion occurred at the Uplees munitions factory near Faversham, Kent, England, resulting in the tragic death of 108 workers. This incident underscored the dangerous conditions in wartime industrial production during World War I.
04 Apr 1916 Battle of Verdun: Intense French Resistance: During the Battle of Verdun, French forces strategically reinforced their front line against the German Fifth Army's attacks. Intense artillery barrages resulted in significant casualties on both sides, ultimately slowing German offensive momentum by mid-month.
05 Apr 1916 Canadian Counterattack at St. Eloi Craters: Canadian forces launched counterattacks to reclaim the St. Eloi Craters, which had been overwhelmed by German forces just a day earlier. This action was part of the complex and brutal trench warfare during World War I.
06 Apr 1916 German Parliament Authorizes Unrestricted Submarine Warfare: During World War I, the German parliament officially authorized a strategic naval policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. This decision meant German U-boats could attack and sink merchant and passenger ships without warning, including those from neutral countries. This aggressive maritime strategy was intended to break the British naval blockade and potentially force the Allies to negotiate, but it also risked drawing the United States into the war.
07 Apr 1916 West Coast Stagecoach Line Discontinued with Railroad Completion: The historic west coast stagecoach line between Coos Bay and Reedsport, Oregon, was officially closed following the completion of a new railroad connection. This marked a significant technological transition in transportation infrastructure, symbolizing the shift from horse-drawn transportation to more modern rail systems in the early 20th century American West.
08 Apr 1916 Norway Grants Women's Voting Rights: On this historic day, Norway officially approved both active and passive female suffrage, marking a significant milestone in women's political participation and democratic rights.
09 Apr 1916 Battle of Verdun: German Third Offensive: During World War I, German forces launched their third major offensive in the prolonged Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and most devastating battles of the war. The battle, which began in February 1916, was characterized by intense artillery bombardments and brutal trench warfare, symbolizing the war's grueling and attritive nature. The German strategy aimed to 'bleed France white' by inflicting massive casualties on the French military.
10 Apr 1916 Professional Golfers Association of America Founded: The Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) was officially established in New York City, marking a pivotal moment in the organization of professional golf in the United States. On this day, 82 charter members gathered to create a formal association that would represent and advance the interests of professional golfers nationwide.
11 Apr 1916 Egyptian Expeditionary Force Launches Sinai and Palestine Campaign: On April 11, 1916, during World War I, the Egyptian Expeditionary Force initiated the strategically significant Sinai and Palestine campaign. The operation began with a tactical raid on Jifjafa, where British and Allied forces systematically destroyed water wells in the Sinai desert. This maneuver was designed to disrupt Ottoman supply lines and establish strategic control over the critical desert region, which was a key transit route between Africa and the Middle East.
13 Apr 1916 First Hybrid Seed Corn Sold in the United States: The Funk Brothers Seed Company of Bloomington, Illinois, pioneered a significant agricultural breakthrough by selling the first commercially viable hybrid seed corn. This innovation marked a transformative moment in agricultural science, as hybrid corn seeds offered substantially higher yields, improved disease resistance, and more uniform crop characteristics compared to traditional open-pollinated varieties.
14 Apr 1916 Imperial German Army Establishes Coastal Defence High Command: During World War I, the Imperial German Army created a specialized High Command of Coastal Defence to strategically protect Germany's vulnerable northern coastline from potential maritime attacks. This organizational restructuring reflected the strategic importance of coastal defense during the ongoing global conflict.
15 Apr 1916 Trebizond Campaign: Russian Capture of Trabzon: During World War I, the Russian Imperial Army successfully concluded the Trebizond Campaign by compelling the Ottoman Empire to abandon the strategically important port city of Trabzon (Trabzon) in northeastern Turkey after a prolonged siege lasting approximately two and a half months. This military operation was part of the Caucasus Campaign, which saw significant territorial contestation between Russian and Ottoman forces.
16 Apr 1916 Mexican Revolutionary Amador Salazar Killed in Combat: Amador Salazar, a prominent Mexican revolutionary leader and close cousin of the famous revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, was tragically killed by an accidental stray bullet during a battle in Tlaltizapán, Mexico. His death represented a significant loss for the revolutionary movement.
17 Apr 1916 Battle of Verdun: French Counter-Attack: During World War I, French forces launched a critical counter-attack against German-held positions at Meuse and Douaumont. This battle was part of one of the longest and most devastating engagements of World War I, symbolizing the brutal attrition warfare of the conflict.
18 Apr 1916 S.S. Sussex Torpedoed in English Channel: The passenger steamship S.S. Sussex was torpedoed by a German submarine in the English Channel during World War I. This incident was significant in escalating tensions between Germany and neutral countries, particularly the United States, as it involved potential civilian casualties and violated maritime warfare conventions.
19 Apr 1916 Field Marshal von der Goltz Assassinated: Field Marshal Colmar von der Goltz is assassinated by an Albanian officer, a significant and dramatic event during the complex geopolitical landscape of World War I.
20 Apr 1916 Sir Roger Casement's Arrival: Sir Roger Casement, an Irish nationalist, landed in Ireland from a German submarine, a covert operation connected to the emerging Irish independence movement during World War I.
21 Apr 1916 Roger Casement's Arrest During Irish Easter Rising Preparations: Roger Casement, a prominent Irish nationalist and human rights activist, was arrested on April 21, 1916, near Tralee, County Kerry, after attempting to smuggle German-supplied weapons to support the imminent Irish rebellion against British colonial rule. His capture was a significant blow to the Irish Republican movement, as he was a key figure in coordinating international support for Irish independence. Casement was later tried for treason and executed by the British government, becoming a martyr in the Irish nationalist narrative.
22 Apr 1916 Battle of Fort Douaumont during World War I: French forces engaged in a significant battle at Fort Douaumont, a critical fortification in the Verdun sector during World War I. This battle was part of the larger Battle of Verdun, one of the longest and most devastating battles of the war.
23 Apr 1916 Easter Rising: Proclamation of the Irish Republic: On this pivotal day during Easter Week, the seven leaders of the Irish Republican Brotherhood signed the Proclamation of the Irish Republic, formally declaring Ireland's independence from British rule. This momentous document, read by Patrick Pearse outside the General Post Office in Dublin, marked the beginning of the Easter Rising, a significant rebellion that would profoundly impact Ireland's path to independence.
24 Apr 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin: On Easter Monday, the Irish Republican Brotherhood launched a significant armed uprising against British colonial rule in Dublin, Ireland. This rebellion was a pivotal moment in Ireland's struggle for independence, challenging centuries of British occupation and seeking to establish a sovereign Irish Republic.
25 Apr 1916 Irish Nationalist Rebellion in Dublin: The Easter Rebellion continues on April 25, 1916, with intense fighting in Dublin as British forces attempt to suppress the Irish Citizen Army and nationalist rebels who had initiated the uprising on April 24.
26 Apr 1916 Artillery Bombardment of Liberty Hall: A pivotal moment in the Easter Rising where British military forces began heavy artillery bombardment of key rebel strongholds. The gunboat Helga sailed up the River Liffey, launching shells at Liberty Hall and other locations occupied by Irish Volunteers, marking a significant escalation in military tactics.
27 Apr 1916 Battle of Hulluch: Devastating German Gas Attack on Irish Division: During World War I, on April 27, 1916, the 47th Brigade of the 16th Irish Division suffered catastrophic losses during one of the most concentrated German chemical warfare attacks of the conflict. The German forces deployed chlorine gas against the Irish troops positioned near Hulluch in northern France, resulting in massive casualties and demonstrating the brutal effectiveness of chemical weapons in trench warfare.
28 Apr 1916 Easter Rising: Battle of Ashbourne: During the Easter Rising of 1916, the Fingal Battalion of the Irish Volunteers launched a significant engagement against the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) barracks in Ashbourne, County Meath. The battle was a fierce confrontation that lasted several hours, involving initial attacks on the barracks and subsequent reinforcements. The intense conflict resulted in eight RIC members and two Irish Volunteers being killed, highlighting the violent struggle for Irish independence during this pivotal moment in Irish history.
29 Apr 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin Ends: After six days of intense fighting, Irish rebel leaders surrendered to British forces in Dublin, marking the conclusion of the Easter Rising, a pivotal moment in Irish nationalist history. The rebellion, which sought to challenge British rule and establish an independent Irish Republic, ultimately failed militarily but significantly influenced Ireland's future path to independence.
30 Apr 1916 Birth of Claude Shannon: Claude Shannon, a pioneering American engineer and mathematician, was born. He would later become known as the 'father of information theory' and make groundbreaking contributions to digital communication and computing.