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Major Events of April 1919: 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 1919 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1919: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1919 Sinn Féin's Second Dáil Éireann Meeting: Fifty-two Sinn Féin members convened for their second Dáil Éireann meeting, electing Seán T. O'Kelly as Ceann Comhairle and Éamon de Valera as President, marking a crucial moment in Ireland's path to independence.
  • 02 Apr 1919 First Female Irish Cabinet Minister: Constance Markievicz made history by becoming the first female cabinet minister in Ireland and Western Europe when she was appointed Minister for Labour. Her appointment was groundbreaking, though the cabinet was not officially recognized by the British government.
  • 03 Apr 1919 Habsburg Monarchy Abolished in Austria: Austria officially expelled all members of the Habsburg royal family, marking the end of their centuries-long rule and transforming the country from a monarchy to a republic following World War I.
  • 04 Apr 1919 Habsburg Monarchy Legally Dethroned: The Habsburg Law was passed, officially ending the centuries-long Habsburg monarchy's rule in Austria. This landmark legislative act marked a significant political transformation in the aftermath of World War I, signaling the end of imperial governance and the transition to a republican system.
  • 05 Apr 1919 Amritsar Massacre: British troops open fire on a peaceful protest of 10,000 Sikhs in Amritsar, India, killing 379 people and wounding 1,200. This tragic event, triggered by the arrest of two Indian Congress Party leaders, became a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence and highlighted British colonial brutality.
  • 06 Apr 1919 Gandhi's General Strike in British India: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ordered a nationwide general strike as a form of non-violent protest against British colonial policies, specifically targeting the oppressive Rowlatt Act. This strike was a significant moment in India's independence movement, demonstrating the power of peaceful resistance and civil disobedience.
  • 07 Apr 1919 Egyptian Revolution of 1919 - Saad Zaghlul's Return: A pivotal moment in Egyptian nationalist movement where Saad Zaghlul and his political allies were released from exile and permitted to return to Egypt, sparking widespread public demonstrations and celebrations that signaled growing resistance against British colonial rule.
  • 08 Apr 1919 Death of Frank Winfield Woolworth, Retail Pioneer: Frank Winfield Woolworth, the innovative American businessman who founded the Woolworth Company and pioneered the five-and-dime retail concept, died on April 8, 1919. His revolutionary approach to retail transformed shopping experiences in the United States and globally.
  • 09 Apr 1919 Amritsar Massacre: British colonial troops under General Reginald Dyer opened fire on a peaceful gathering of Sikh protesters in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, Punjab. The crowd of approximately 10,000 people had assembled to protest the arrest of Indian nationalist leaders. The brutal military action resulted in 379 confirmed deaths and over 1,200 injuries, marking a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence and symbolizing the brutal nature of British colonial oppression.
  • 10 Apr 1919 Assassination of Emiliano Zapata: Mexican Revolution leader Emiliano Zapata was ambushed and shot dead by government forces in Morelos, marking a significant turning point in the Mexican Revolution and ending the life of a key revolutionary figure.
  • 11 Apr 1919 Racial Equality Proposal at Paris Peace Conference: Japan introduced a landmark Racial Equality Proposal at the Paris Peace Conference, seeking to establish international human rights standards. Despite support from France and Italy, the United Kingdom opposed the proposal, highlighting the complex racial dynamics of the post-World War I diplomatic landscape.
  • 12 Apr 1919 Amritsar Massacre: British and Gurkha troops commit a brutal massacre of 379 Sikhs in Punjab, India, a tragic event that became a significant moment in the Indian independence movement and highlighted colonial oppression.
  • 13 Apr 1919 Amritsar Massacre (Jallianwala Bagh): A tragic event where British and Gurkha troops, led by Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer, brutally massacred at least 379 unarmed Indian demonstrators in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. The troops fired indiscriminately into a peaceful gathering, killing hundreds and wounding approximately 1,200-1,500 people, including men, women, and children. This event became a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence, symbolizing the brutal nature of British colonial rule.
  • 14 Apr 1919 Emperor Charles I of Austria Goes into Exile: Emperor Charles I of Austria-Hungary was forced into exile, leaving his throne and moving to Switzerland after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire following World War I. This marked a significant moment in the dissolution of the Habsburg monarchy and the geopolitical restructuring of Central Europe.
  • 15 Apr 1919 USS Jupiter Conversion to Aircraft Carrier: The United States Navy selected the collier USS Jupiter to be transformed into the nation's first aircraft carrier, a pivotal moment in naval aviation technology that would significantly influence future maritime military strategies.
  • 16 Apr 1919 Gandhi's Day of Mourning for Amritsar Massacre: Mohandas Gandhi organized a nationwide day of prayer and fasting to protest the brutal British colonial massacre of peaceful Indian protesters in Amritsar, drawing international attention to the violent suppression of Indian independence movements.
  • 17 Apr 1919 Lack of Documented Historical Events - April 17, 1919: While no specific historical events were found for this date, it falls within the post-World War I period, a time of significant global political and social transformation. The year 1919 was marked by the Paris Peace Conference, the Treaty of Versailles negotiations, and widespread societal changes following the end of the Great War.
  • 18 Apr 1919 Death of Dutch Actress Enny Vrede: Maria M. Müller, professionally known as Enny Vrede, a prominent Dutch actress, tragically drowned at the age of 35. Her untimely death marked a significant loss for the Dutch theatrical community during the early 20th century.
  • 19 Apr 1919 First Voluntary Free-Fall Parachute Jump: Leslie Irvin of the United States makes the first successful voluntary free-fall parachute jump using a new self-contained parachute design, marking a pivotal moment in aviation safety technology.
  • 20 Apr 1919 Amritsar Massacre: Under the command of British Colonel Reginald Dyer, detachments of the 9th Gorkha Rifles and the 59th Scinde Rifles brutally massacred 379 unarmed Sikh civilians at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Punjab Province. This horrific event became a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence, symbolizing the brutal colonial oppression by the British Empire.
  • 21 Apr 1919 Anne Boleyn's Political Downfall Begins: Thomas Cromwell, King Henry VIII's chief minister, strategically began plotting the political downfall of Anne Boleyn, using calculated manipulation and feigned illness as part of his scheme.
  • 22 Apr 1919 Allied Powers Negotiate Post-World War I Security Protocols: France, Great Britain, and the United States agreed on critical alliance protocols to prevent future German aggression. The agreement included a 15-year Allied occupation of the Rhineland, signed by US President Woodrow Wilson and British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, establishing post-World War I geopolitical boundaries and security measures.
  • 23 Apr 1919 Bauhaus Movement Founded: The revolutionary Bauhaus architectural and design movement is officially established in Weimar, Germany, by Walter Gropius, marking a transformative moment in modern art, design, and architectural philosophy.
  • 24 Apr 1919 Paris Peace Conference: Strategic Meeting at Lloyd George's Residence: A pivotal diplomatic gathering took place at British Prime Minister David Lloyd George's residence at 23 Rue Nitot in Paris. Representatives from the major Allied powers - the United States, France, the British Empire, and Italy - convened to discuss critical post-World War I negotiations. The meeting focused on diplomatic representation, particularly concerning Italy's role and participation in the upcoming Versailles Treaty negotiations. This session was a crucial moment in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe following the First World War.
  • 25 Apr 1919 Bauhaus Movement Founded in Weimar: The Bauhaus architectural and design movement is established in Weimar, Germany, marking a revolutionary moment in modern art, design, and architectural education. Founded by Walter Gropius, this influential school would dramatically reshape 20th-century aesthetic principles, emphasizing functional design, minimalism, and the integration of art with industrial production.
  • 26 Apr 1919 Pinsk Massacre of Jewish Civilians: On April 26, 1919, during the tumultuous period following World War I and the Russian Revolution, 35 Jewish civilians were summarily executed by Polish Army troops in Pinsk. The soldiers accused the victims of supporting Bolshevism without providing any formal trial or due process. This tragic event exemplifies the widespread antisemitic violence and political tensions that characterized Eastern Europe during this volatile historical period, contributing to the broader narrative of persecution and ethnic conflict.
  • 28 Apr 1919 First Successful Rip-Cord Parachute Jump by U.S. Army Air Corps: On April 28, 1919, Les Irvin made aviation history by performing the first successful jump using a rip-cord type parachute with the U.S. Army Air Corps. This groundbreaking moment significantly advanced aerial safety technology, providing pilots with a reliable method of emergency escape during flight.
  • 29 Apr 1919 Austrian-Yugoslav Border Conflict in Carinthia: A significant military clash occurred between Austrian troops and Yugoslav fighters in the Carinthia region, situated on the border between Austria and Yugoslavia. This confrontation was part of the territorial disputes and tensions following the end of World War I and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
  • 30 Apr 1919 Fall of the Bavarian Soviet Republic: Weimar Republic troops and the Freikorps decisively occupy Munich, effectively crushing the Bavarian Soviet Republic, a short-lived communist state that had challenged the existing political order in Bavaria.