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Major Events of April 1975: 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 1975 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1975: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1975 Fall of Lon Nol's Regime in Cambodia: On April 1, 1975, Cambodia's President Lon Nol fled the country as the Khmer Rouge insurgency rapidly advanced, marking a critical turning point in Cambodian history. The strategic town of Neak Leung fell to the communist rebels, effectively cutting off a crucial supply line to Phnom Penh and signaling the imminent collapse of the government.
  • 02 Apr 1975 Vietnam War Refugee Crisis in Quang Ngai: During the final stages of the Vietnam War, thousands of civilian refugees were forced to flee the Quang Ngai Province as North Vietnamese troops advanced, highlighting the devastating human impact of the conflict and the mass displacement caused by military operations.
  • 03 Apr 1975 Microsoft Founded: Bill Gates establishes Microsoft Corporation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, marking the beginning of what would become one of the world's most influential technology companies.
  • 04 Apr 1975 Microsoft's Founding: Bill Gates and Paul Allen establish Microsoft as a partnership in Albuquerque, New Mexico, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most influential technology companies in the world. Initially focused on developing BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800 microcomputer, this moment would launch a technological revolution.
  • 05 Apr 1975 Chiang Kai-shek Dies: Chiang Kai-shek, the prominent Nationalist Chinese leader who played a crucial role in 20th-century Chinese history, died from a heart attack at the age of 87.
  • 06 Apr 1975 Yen Chia-kan Sworn In as President of Nationalist China: Yen Chia-kan was sworn in as the new President of Nationalist China, marking a significant political transition following the death of Chiang Kai-shek. A 30-day period of official mourning was initiated to honor the late leader's legacy.
  • 07 Apr 1975 Beverly Sills Metropolitan Opera Debut: Beverly Sills, one of the most renowned and celebrated American opera singers of the 20th century, made her historic first appearance at the Metropolitan Opera (The Met) in New York City, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious classical music career.
  • 08 Apr 1975 Frank Robinson Makes MLB History as First African American Manager: Frank Robinson made history by becoming the first African American manager in Major League Baseball, leading the Cleveland Indians in a groundbreaking moment for racial representation in professional sports. In his debut game against the New York Yankees, Robinson's team won 5-3, marking a significant milestone in baseball and civil rights.
  • 09 Apr 1975 People's Revolutionary Party Execution in South Korea: Eight individuals involved in the People's Revolutionary Party Incident were executed by hanging in South Korea, marking a significant moment of political repression during the country's authoritarian period.
  • 10 Apr 1975 Lee Elder Breaks Racial Barrier at Masters Tournament: Lee Elder became the first African-American golfer to play in the prestigious Masters' Tournament, marking a significant milestone in sports desegregation and civil rights.
  • 11 Apr 1975 North Vietnam Seizes Spratly Islands: North Vietnam took control of six of the Spratly Islands, which had been under the control of South Vietnam and were also claimed by the People's Republic of China. This territorial acquisition represented a significant geopolitical maneuver during the final stages of the Vietnam War.
  • 12 Apr 1975 Fall of Phnom Penh to Khmer Rouge: Khmer Rouge guerrillas captured Phnom Penh, effectively ending the Cambodian Civil War. The city's residents were forcibly evacuated to rural areas, signaling the beginning of a brutal regime that would dramatically transform Cambodian society.
  • 13 Apr 1975 Start of Lebanese Civil War: An attack by Palestinians on a church in Ain El Remmeneh, Lebanon, triggered the beginning of a devastating 15-year civil war that would dramatically reshape the country's social and political landscape.
  • 14 Apr 1975 Sikkim Votes to Merge with India: In a historic referendum, voters in the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim overwhelmingly approved the abolition of its monarchy and integration with India. This momentous decision fundamentally transformed Sikkim's political status, effectively ending its centuries-old monarchical system and becoming an Indian state.
  • 15 Apr 1975 San Diego Chicken Mascot Debut: The San Diego Chicken, a legendary sports mascot, made its first public appearance, marking a significant moment in sports entertainment history.
  • 16 Apr 1975 Khmer Rouge Capture of Phnom Penh: The Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, captured Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, marking a pivotal moment in the Cambodian Civil War. This event signaled the beginning of a brutal regime that would lead to the Cambodian Genocide, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1.5-2 million people through execution, forced labor, starvation, and systematic persecution.
  • 17 Apr 1975 Fall of Phnom Penh to Khmer Rouge: The Cambodian Civil War reached its dramatic conclusion as Communist insurgents (Khmer Rouge) captured Phnom Penh, effectively ending the five-year conflict. This pivotal moment marked a significant turning point in Cambodian history, leading to profound and tragic consequences for the nation.
  • 18 Apr 1975 John Lennon's Final Public Performance: John Lennon performed what would become his final public performance at a gala salute to British media mogul Lew Grade at the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel in New York City. During this event, he performed three songs: 'Slippin' and Slidin'' by Little Richard, 'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King, and closed with his iconic song 'Imagine'.
  • 19 Apr 1975 Final Battle of Vietnam War: South Vietnamese forces withdrew from the strategic town of Xuan Loc, signaling the imminent conclusion of the Vietnam War and marking a pivotal moment in the conflict's final stages.
  • 20 Apr 1975 29th Tony Awards Honors Broadway Excellence: The 29th Annual Tony Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in theater, with 'Equus' and 'The Wiz' emerging as notable winners. These productions highlighted the diverse and innovative theatrical landscape of the mid-1970s, recognizing exceptional performances and creative achievements on Broadway.
  • 21 Apr 1975 Fall of Xuan Loc and Thieu's Departure: As Xuan Loc, the last significant South Vietnamese defensive position, falls to North Vietnamese forces, President Nguyen Van Thieu flees Saigon, marking a critical turning point in the Vietnam War.
  • 22 Apr 1975 Barbara Walters Becomes Highest-Paid TV Journalist: Barbara Walters signed a groundbreaking five-year contract with ABC for $5 million, establishing herself as the highest-paid television news personality of her time. This milestone represented a significant breakthrough for women in broadcast journalism, highlighting her exceptional talent and negotiating prowess.
  • 23 Apr 1975 Ford Declares End of Vietnam War: During a pivotal speech at Tulane University, President Gerald Ford officially declared that the Vietnam War had ended from the United States' perspective. He called for national healing, urging Americans to move beyond the divisive conflict, rebuild national unity, and restore their sense of pride and purpose.
  • 24 Apr 1975 United States Nuclear Testing: The United States conducted a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site on April 24, 1975, as part of its ongoing nuclear weapons research and development program during the Cold War era.
  • 25 Apr 1975 Australian Embassy Evacuation from Saigon: As North Vietnamese forces advance towards Saigon, the Australian Embassy is closed and evacuated, symbolizing the imminent fall of South Vietnam and concluding Australia's decade-long military involvement in the Vietnam War.
  • 26 Apr 1975 Portugal's First Free Election Since 1925: Mario Soares' Socialist Party won Portugal's first democratic election since 1925, marking a significant milestone following the Carnation Revolution of 1974. This election represented a pivotal moment in Portugal's transition from authoritarian rule to a democratic system.
  • 27 Apr 1975 USSR Nuclear Test in Kazakhstan: The Soviet Union conducted a nuclear weapons test at the Semipalatinsk Test Site in northeastern Kazakhstan, continuing its Cold War-era nuclear weapons development program.
  • 28 Apr 1975 South Vietnam's Last President Sworn In: General Duong Van Minh was sworn in as the final president of South Vietnam, just days before the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War. His brief presidency marked the last moments of the South Vietnamese government before the North Vietnamese victory.
  • 29 Apr 1975 Vietnam War: Final U.S. Evacuation from Saigon: The last U.S. citizens begin evacuation from Saigon as North Vietnamese forces are poised to take control of the city, marking the definitive end of United States military involvement in the Vietnam War. This critical moment symbolizes the conclusion of a prolonged and controversial conflict that significantly impacted geopolitical dynamics.
  • 30 Apr 1975 Fall of Saigon: The Fall of Saigon marked the definitive end of the Vietnam War, with Communist forces capturing the capital city and effectively concluding the decades-long conflict. North Vietnamese troops overwhelmed South Vietnamese defenses, leading to the unconditional surrender of South Vietnamese president Duong Van Minh.