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Major Events of April 1921: 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 1921 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of April 1921: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1921 Final Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Appointed: Under the new Home Rule Act, Lord Edmund Talbot was appointed as the last Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on April 1, 1921, succeeding Viscount French. This appointment symbolized a significant transitional period in Irish-British relations, representing the waning days of direct British administrative control in Ireland.
  • 02 Apr 1921 Einstein Lectures on Relativity in New York: Professor Albert Einstein delivered a groundbreaking lecture in New York City, explaining his revolutionary theory of relativity to an eager academic audience. This lecture was part of his efforts to introduce his complex scientific theories to the broader international scientific community.
  • 03 Apr 1921 U.S. Premiere of 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari': The groundbreaking German expressionist horror film 'The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari' made its U.S. debut at the Capitol Theatre in New York, featuring English-language dialogue cards. This screening marked a significant moment in international cinema and the introduction of German avant-garde film to American audiences.
  • 04 Apr 1921 Stanley Cup Championship: Ottawa Senators Triumph: In a thrilling hockey series, the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL) defeated the Vancouver Millionaires from the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) in the Stanley Cup finals. The Senators clinched victory in a hard-fought best-of-five series, winning three games to two, showcasing their superior skill and determination on the ice.
  • 05 Apr 1921 Saad Zaghlul Pasha Returns to Egypt: Saad Zaghlul Pasha, a prominent Egyptian nationalist leader, returned from political exile to Egypt, marking a significant moment in the country's struggle for independence. His return was met with widespread public enthusiasm, symbolizing the growing resistance against British colonial rule and the Egyptian people's desire for self-determination.
  • 06 Apr 1921 U.S. Premiere of Dr. Caligari: The groundbreaking German expressionist horror film *The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari* made its U.S. debut at the Capitol Theatre in New York, featuring English-language dialogue cards. This screening was significant in introducing European avant-garde cinema to American audiences.
  • 07 Apr 1921 Sun Yat-sen Elected President of China: Sun Yat-sen, widely recognized as the 'Father of Modern China', was democratically elected as President in Canton, marking a significant moment in China's complex political transition from imperial rule to a republican system. This election represented a crucial step in Sun's revolutionary vision of transforming China's political landscape and modernizing the nation.
  • 08 Apr 1921 Betty Ford: First Lady and Healthcare Advocate: Betty Ford, who served as First Lady of the United States from 1975-1976, is also known for establishing the Betty Ford Clinic, a renowned addiction treatment center.
  • 09 Apr 1921 Banco Nacional de Cuba Suspends Operations: On April 9, 1921, the Banco Nacional de Cuba, the primary financial institution of Cuba, suspended its operations in the wake of a catastrophic collapse in the nation's sugar export economy. This economic crisis severely impacted Cuba's financial stability, highlighting the country's heavy dependence on sugar exports and the vulnerability of its economic infrastructure during the early 20th century.
  • 10 Apr 1921 Birth of Chuck Connors, Television Actor: Chuck Connors was born in Brooklyn, New York, a versatile actor who would become widely known for his iconic roles in television westerns, most notably as Lucas McCain in 'The Rifleman'. He was also a professional basketball and baseball player before establishing his successful acting career.
  • 11 Apr 1921 Transjordan's First Centralized Government: Emir Abdullah establishes the first centralized government in the newly created British protectorate of Transjordan, marking a significant moment in the region's political development.
  • 12 Apr 1921 Italy and Turkey's Secret Military Pact: In a significant diplomatic development, Italy and Turkey disclosed a confidential military agreement designed to strategically limit Greece's territorial expansion. The pact represented a complex geopolitical maneuver in the post-World War I era, highlighting the intricate power dynamics and territorial tensions in the Mediterranean region.
  • 13 Apr 1921 Britain's Triple Alliance Trade Union Manifesto: On April 13, 1921, Britain's 'Triple Alliance' of trade unions representing miners, railroad workers, and transport workers issued a powerful manifesto announcing a national strike scheduled to commence at 10:00 PM on April 15. This coordinated action represented a significant moment of labor solidarity and demonstrated the growing organizational power of trade unions in early 20th-century Britain.
  • 14 Apr 1921 Greco-Turkish Conflict Engagement: Greek forces capture 6,000 Turkish soldiers after repelling a Turkish counterattack near the Afiun-Kharahissar base, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the aftermath of World War I and the Greco-Turkish War.
  • 15 Apr 1921 Black Friday: British Mining Labor Dispute: On April 15, 1921, a significant labor crisis emerged in the British mining industry when mine owners announced substantial wage and price cuts. These proposed reductions threatened to trigger a nationwide strike across England, highlighting the growing tensions between industrial management and workers during the post-World War I economic restructuring.
  • 16 Apr 1921 Birth of Peter Ustinov: Peter Ustinov was born in London, England. He would go on to become a renowned actor, writer, and filmmaker, known for his versatile performances in films such as 'Death on the Nile', 'Logan's Run', and 'Billy Budd'. Ustinov was also a notable comedian, dramatist, and humanitarian.
  • 17 Apr 1921 Cuban Presidential Election of 1921: On April 17, 1921, Cuban voters elected Alfredo Zayas y Alfonso as their new president. Zayas, a prominent political figure, would lead the country during a period of political transition and economic challenges in the early 20th century.
  • 18 Apr 1921 Supreme Court Rent Reform Decision: The U.S. Supreme Court narrowly upheld the constitutionality of rent reform laws in New York and the District of Columbia, with a 5-4 vote signaling the complex legal landscape of housing regulations in the early 20th century.
  • 19 Apr 1921 Funeral of German Empress Augusta Victoria: The funeral of Augusta Victoria, the last Empress of the German Empire, was conducted in Potsdam with full state honors. As the wife of Kaiser Wilhelm II, her passing marked the end of an era for the former imperial family following World War I and the collapse of the German monarchy.
  • 20 Apr 1921 Liliom Premieres on Broadway: Ferenc Molnár's groundbreaking play Liliom made its English-language Broadway debut, marking a significant moment in theatrical history. The play, originally written in Hungarian, tells a poignant story of love, tragedy, and redemption, exploring complex human emotions through the relationship between Liliom, a carousel barker, and Julie, a young servant girl. This Broadway production introduced American audiences to Molnár's innovative storytelling and would later inspire the famous musical Carousel by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
  • 21 Apr 1921 Ottawa Senators Win Stanley Cup Against Vancouver Millionaires: In a thrilling championship series, the Ottawa Senators defeated the Vancouver Millionaires three games to two, securing the prestigious Stanley Cup in 1921. This victory highlighted the Senators' dominance in early professional ice hockey and represented a significant moment in Canadian sports history.
  • 22 Apr 1921 Peru's Presidential Coup: Augusto B. Leguia Establishes Dictatorship: On April 22, 1921, Peruvian President Augusto B. Leguia dramatically suspended the national Congress and unilaterally declared a dictatorship, effectively ending democratic governance in Peru. This political maneuver marked a significant shift in Peru's governmental structure, concentrating power in Leguia's hands and initiating what would become known as the 'Oncenio' period of authoritarian rule.
  • 23 Apr 1921 Service Employees International Union Founded: The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was established in Chicago, marking a significant moment in American labor history. The union was created to represent and protect workers in healthcare, government, and various service industries, aiming to improve working conditions, wages, and workers' rights across these sectors.
  • 24 Apr 1921 Tyrol Plebiscite for German Annexation: On April 24, 1921, residents of the Austrian state of Tyrol participated in a plebiscite, voting overwhelmingly in favor of becoming part of Germany, reflecting the complex territorial and national identity tensions in post-World War I Europe.
  • 25 Apr 1921 Uneventful Day in 1921: While no specific major historical events were documented for April 25, 1921, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. The early 1920s were a period of significant global transitions following World War I, with ongoing political realignments, economic recoveries, and social transformations happening worldwide.
  • 26 Apr 1921 Birth of Nelson Dalzell, New Zealand Rugby Player: Nelson Dalzell was born on April 26, 1921, in New Zealand. He would go on to become a notable rugby union player, representing his country in the sport during the mid-20th century. Rugby was a significant part of New Zealand's sporting culture during this era, and players like Dalzell were important contributors to the national sporting legacy.
  • 27 Apr 1921 German Reparations Announcement: The Allied Reparations Commission officially announced the financial penalties imposed on Germany following World War I, mandating a massive reparation payment of 132 billion gold marks (equivalent to 33 trillion American dollars), to be paid in annual installments of 2.5 billion gold marks.
  • 28 Apr 1921 José Raúl Capablanca Becomes World Chess Champion: In a historic match held in Havana, Cuba, José Raúl Capablanca defeated the reigning German world chess champion Emanuel Lasker, becoming the third world chess champion in the sport's history. Capablanca, a Cuban prodigy known for his exceptional strategic skills and near-perfect playing style, demonstrated remarkable prowess by decisively defeating Lasker, who had been the world champion since 1894. This victory marked a significant moment in chess history, highlighting the emergence of Latin American talent in the international chess arena.
  • 29 Apr 1921 Death of Arthur Mold, Controversial Cricket Bowler: Arthur Mold, a notable English cricket bowler from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, passed away on April 29, 1921. Mold was a significant figure in cricket history, known for being one of the first bowlers to be officially 'no-balled' and effectively banished from professional cricket due to allegations of throwing, which was considered an unfair bowling technique at the time. His career was marked by controversy surrounding bowling actions, which led to significant changes in cricket's rules regarding bowling techniques.
  • 30 Apr 1921 First American Professional Football Association Championship: The inaugural American Professional Football Association Championship takes place, with the Akron Pros emerging as undefeated champions, establishing an important milestone in early professional American football history.