Major Events of April 1920: 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 1920 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of April 1920: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Apr 1920 Delaware Rejects Women's Suffrage: In a controversial vote, the Delaware House of Delegates rejected the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would grant women the right to vote, with 23 members voting against and 9 in favor.
02 Apr 1920 German Army Confronts Ruhr Red Army: In a significant political and military action, the German army moved into the Ruhr region to suppress the Ruhr Red Army, a communist revolutionary group that had attempted to establish a socialist state in the industrial heartland of Germany during the tumultuous period following World War I.
03 Apr 1920 Delaware Rejects Women's Suffrage Amendment: The Delaware House of Delegates voted 23 to 9 to reject the 19th Amendment, which would have granted women the right to vote. This vote delayed the amendment's ratification and was a significant setback for the women's suffrage movement in the United States.
04 Apr 1920 1920 Palestine Riots: Violent clashes erupted between Arab and Jewish residents in Jerusalem, resulting in 9 deaths and 216 injuries. This event was a significant moment in the growing ethnic tensions in British-controlled Palestine, foreshadowing future conflicts.
05 Apr 1920 Arab-Jewish Tensions in Jerusalem: In early April 1920, violent tensions erupted between Arab and Jewish communities in Jerusalem during the annual Nebi Musa festival. The riots, which began on April 4th and continued for several days, resulted in multiple casualties and highlighted the growing ethnic and territorial conflicts in British-controlled Palestine. This event is considered a significant moment in the escalating Arab-Jewish tensions that would shape the region's future political landscape.
06 Apr 1920 Far Eastern Republic Established: The Far Eastern Republic, a buffer state between Soviet Russia and Japanese-occupied territories, was proclaimed in eastern Siberia. This short-lived political entity represented a complex geopolitical strategy during the Russian Civil War period.
07 Apr 1920 Nebi Musa Riots in Jerusalem: The 1920 Nebi Musa riots erupted in British-controlled Jerusalem between April 4-7, marking a significant moment of intercommunal violence. The riots resulted in casualties on all sides: five Jews were killed and hundreds injured, four Arabs were killed and eighteen injured, and seven British personnel were wounded. These riots highlighted the growing tensions in Palestine during the early British Mandate period.
08 Apr 1920 Tragic Week in Guatemala: A significant political uprising occurred in Guatemala when opposition leaders challenged President Manuel Estrada Cabrera's refusal to step down after the National Assembly declared him mentally unfit for office. The civil unrest involved Unionist Party leaders, students, and other opponents who supported Carlos Herrera as the interim president.
09 Apr 1920 Tragic Week in Guatemala: Political Uprising in Guatemala City: On April 9, 1920, Guatemala City experienced a sudden and violent political upheaval characterized by intense machine-gun fire and artillery shelling across multiple city districts. The Unionist faction, initially caught off-guard by the unexpected attack, rapidly mobilized by swiftly collecting weapons and ammunition from government buildings and other strategic locations to mount a defensive response.
10 Apr 1920 Sonora's Attempted Secession from Mexico: On April 10, 1920, the legislature of the Mexican state of Sonora took a dramatic and unprecedented step by voting to potentially secede from the United Mexican States. In a tense, closed-door session held in Hermosillo, state legislators resolved to resist President Venustiano Carranza's attempt to send federal troops into Sonora. Governor Adolfo de la Huerta escalated the confrontation by ordering the seizure of Southern Pacific Railroad lines within Sonoran territory, effectively declaring regional autonomy. By the following day, de la Huerta was reportedly positioning himself as the 'supreme power in the Republic of Sonora', signaling a direct challenge to the federal government's authority.
11 Apr 1920 Álvaro Obregón's Strategic Escape During Mexican Revolution: During a critical moment in the Mexican Revolution, Álvaro Obregón, a prominent military and political leader, strategically fled Mexico City to avoid a politically motivated trial designed to damage his reputation. He escaped to the state of Guerrero, where he joined forces with Fortunato Maycotte, a fellow revolutionary and potential ally in his ongoing political struggle.
13 Apr 1920 Dublin Mayor Supports Sinn Féin Prisoners and General Strike Called: On April 13, 1920, the Mayor of Dublin publicly pledged support to Sinn Féin prisoners on hunger strike, simultaneously with Irish labor leaders calling for a general strike. This event highlighted the intense political tensions and resistance movement in Ireland during the struggle for independence from British rule.
14 Apr 1920 President Wilson Returns to Cabinet After Stroke: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson met with his Cabinet for the first time since September 2, 1920, after recovering from a debilitating stroke that had incapacitated him for over six months.
15 Apr 1920 Sacco and Vanzetti Shoe Factory Robbery and Murder: On April 15, 1920, a violent robbery occurred at the Slater & Morrill Shoe Company in South Braintree, Massachusetts. Two armed men shot and killed employees Frederick Parmenter and Alessandro Berardelli, stealing a payroll of $15,776.51. Anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were later convicted and executed for this crime, which became a highly controversial legal case symbolizing potential judicial bias against immigrants and radical political activists.
16 Apr 1920 Dermot O'Callaghan Grubb Appointed Prison Governor: On April 16, 1920, Dermot O'Callaghan Grubb was appointed as a prison governor during a tumultuous period in Irish history, marked by political tensions and the struggle for independence. His role would have been critical in managing prison administration during a time of significant social and political upheaval.
17 Apr 1920 Formation of the American Professional Football Association: On April 17, 1920, the American Professional Football Association was established, which would later become known as the National Football League (NFL). This pivotal moment marked the formal organization of professional football in the United States, creating a structured league that would eventually grow into one of the most popular sports organizations globally.
18 Apr 1920 First National Elections in Czechoslovakia: On April 18, 1920, Czechoslovakia held its first national elections following the establishment of the independent republic after World War I. This democratic process marked a significant milestone in the country's transition to a parliamentary democracy under the leadership of President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. The elections were conducted using proportional representation, allowing multiple political parties to participate and reflect the diverse political landscape of the newly formed nation.
19 Apr 1920 Allied Prime Ministers Conference in San Remo: Key Allied leaders David Lloyd George (UK), Alexandre Millerand (France), and Francesco Nitti (Italy) convened in San Remo, Italy to discuss post-World War I territorial arrangements and diplomatic strategies. This meeting was crucial in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe in the aftermath of the Great War.
20 Apr 1920 Balfour Declaration Recognized: The Balfour Declaration is officially recognized, establishing Palestine as a British Mandate and significantly reshaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
21 Apr 1920 Bainbridge Colby Establishes Declaration of Independence Committee: U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby formally established a special committee tasked with examining and reporting on the historical context and significance of the Declaration of Independence, reflecting the ongoing scholarly interest in America's founding document.
22 Apr 1920 Birth of Hal March, American Television Personality: Harold Matusow, professionally known as Hal March, was born in San Francisco, California. He would later become a notable television actor and game show host, most famously associated with the popular quiz show '$64,000 Question' and the television program 'Outrage'.
23 Apr 1920 Founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey: The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) was established in Ankara, marking a pivotal moment in Turkish political history. The assembly officially denounced the existing government of Sultan Mehmed VI and began preparing a temporary constitution, signaling the transition from the Ottoman Empire to a new national governance structure.
24 Apr 1920 British Mandate Over Palestine Established: The British Mandate for Palestine officially begins, marking a significant geopolitical transformation in the Middle East. This mandate, authorized by the League of Nations, grants Britain administrative control over the territory, which would have profound implications for the region's future political landscape and the eventual establishment of Israel.
25 Apr 1920 San Remo Conference: Middle East Mandate Allocation: At the San Remo conference, the principal Allied Powers of World War I adopted a resolution to determine the allocation of Class "A" League of Nations mandates for administration of the former Ottoman-ruled territories in the Middle East. This conference was a crucial diplomatic event that reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the region following World War I.
26 Apr 1920 German Troop Withdrawal from Ruhr Valley: The German government completes the withdrawal of troops from the Ruhr Valley, adhering to the Treaty of Versailles stipulations. This action involves reducing the German army to 200,000 men, a significant step in post-World War I demilitarization and compliance with international agreements.
27 Apr 1920 Ukrainian Independence Declaration: Symon Petliura, a prominent Ukrainian political and military leader, formally declares the independence of Ukraine during a tumultuous period marked by complex political struggles following the Russian Revolution and Ukrainian War of Independence.
28 Apr 1920 Azerbaijan Joins Soviet Union: On April 28, 1920, the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (Azerbaijan SSR) was formally incorporated into the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), marking a significant moment in the region's political transformation. This event represented the Bolshevik takeover of Azerbaijan and the beginning of Soviet control over the Caucasus region.
29 Apr 1920 Duke Kahanamoku Wins Olympic Gold in Swimming Relay: Duke Kahanamoku, a legendary Hawaiian swimmer, won his second gold medal at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics as part of the American 4 x 200m freestyle relay team. Alongside teammates Perry McGillivray, Pua Kealoha, and Norman Ross, he set a world record time of 10:04.4, showcasing the United States' dominance in swimming during that era.
30 Apr 1920 British Government Ends Military Conscription: On April 30, 1920, the British Government officially terminated military conscription, signaling a major shift in national defense policy in the post-World War I era.