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Major Events of April 2000: 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 2000 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of April 2000: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 2000 2000 United States Census Conducted: The United States Census Bureau conducted the decennial population and housing census, providing crucial demographic data for national planning, resource allocation, and political representation.
  • 02 Apr 2000 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship: Connecticut Triumphs: In a decisive victory, the University of Connecticut Huskies defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 71-52 in the 19th NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Point guard Shea Ralph was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player, highlighting her exceptional performance in the championship game.
  • 03 Apr 2000 Microsoft Antitrust Case Landmark Ruling: Federal Judge Thomas Jackson issued his Conclusions of Law in the US Justice Department's antitrust case against Microsoft. He ruled that Microsoft had illegally acted to protect its operating system monopoly and attempted to monopolize the web browser software market, marking a significant moment in technology and corporate regulation.
  • 04 Apr 2000 Death of Charlie Kray: Notorious Gangster: Charlie Kray, a member of the infamous Kray twins' criminal organization in London, died on April 4, 2000, from a heart attack while incarcerated in Parkhurst Prison. As the brother of Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who were notorious East End gangsters, Charlie was connected to one of the most infamous criminal enterprises in British post-war history.
  • 05 Apr 2000 Japanese Naval Attack on Colombo During World War II: During the Indian Ocean raid in World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy conducted a strategic carrier-based air assault on Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). The attack resulted in significant damage to port and civilian infrastructure, and critically, led to the sinking of two Royal Navy cruisers, HMS Cornwall and HMS Dorsetshire, southwest of the island.
  • 06 Apr 2000 Nawaz Sharif Convicted in Pakistan: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was found guilty of hijacking and sentenced to life imprisonment following the military coup that deposed him in October 1999. In a significant legal development, Sharif was convicted while six of his co-defendants were acquitted, marking a dramatic fall from political power.
  • 07 Apr 2000 Hansie Cronje Match Fixing Scandal: South African cricket captain Hansie Cronje was charged by Delhi police for allegedly fixing One Day International matches against India, a major scandal that would significantly impact international cricket's integrity.
  • 08 Apr 2000 Deadly V-22 Osprey Crash in Arizona: A tragic military aviation accident occurred near Marana, Arizona, when a V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft crashed, resulting in the deaths of nineteen United States Marines. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about the safety and reliability of the innovative but controversial V-22 Osprey aircraft design.
  • 09 Apr 2000 53rd British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs): At the 53rd British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), the critically acclaimed film 'American Beauty' won Best Film. Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar was honored with the Best Director award, highlighting the international recognition of cinematic excellence that year.
  • 10 Apr 2000 Lama Deshin Shekpa Visits Ming Dynasty Capital: The Tibetan Buddhist lama Deshin Shekpa travels to Nanjing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, where he is ceremonially honored with the prestigious title 'Great Treasure Prince of Dharma'. This event represents an important diplomatic and cultural exchange between Tibetan Buddhist leadership and the Ming imperial court.
  • 11 Apr 2000 Major League Baseball Stadium Openings: On April 11, 2000, three significant Major League Baseball stadiums opened: AT&T Park (now Oracle Park) in San Francisco, California, Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, and Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. These modern ballparks represented significant investments in sports infrastructure and fan experience during the early 2000s.
  • 12 Apr 2000 Large-Scale Drug Raid in Colombia: A massive anti-narcotics operation was conducted in Colombia, involving approximately 1,500 law enforcement agents who targeted and disrupted significant drug trafficking networks. This operation represented a substantial effort to combat the country's long-standing drug trade challenges.
  • 13 Apr 2000 Louis Theroux Documentary on Jimmy Savile Premieres: The documentary series 'When Louis Met...' debuts on BBC2 in the United Kingdom, featuring an investigative profile of controversial media personality Jimmy Savile. This documentary would later gain significant historical importance due to subsequent revelations about Savile's extensive sexual abuse.
  • 14 Apr 2000 Metallica Sues Napster in Landmark Digital Piracy Case: Metallica, a prominent heavy metal band, filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Napster, a pioneering peer-to-peer file-sharing service, challenging the emerging digital music distribution model and raising critical questions about copyright infringement in the digital age.
  • 16 Apr 2000 Anti-Globalization Protests in Washington, DC: Demonstrators gathered in Washington, DC to protest against the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), highlighting growing global concerns about economic policies and international financial institutions.
  • 17 Apr 2000 104th Boston Marathon Features Kenyan Dominance: The 104th Boston Marathon showcased Kenyan athletic prowess on April 17, 2000. Elijah Lagat secured victory in the men's race with an impressive time of 2:09:47, while Catherine Ndereba claimed the women's title with a remarkable time of 2:26:11, highlighting Kenya's continued excellence in long-distance running.
  • 19 Apr 2000 Air Philippines Flight 541 Tragic Crash: On April 19, 2000, Air Philippines Flight 541, a Boeing 737-200, crashed near Davao International Airport in Samal, Davao del Norte, resulting in the tragic loss of all 131 passengers and crew on board. The devastating accident shocked the aviation community and highlighted critical safety concerns in air travel during that period.
  • 20 Apr 2000 Funny Cide: Notable Racehorse: Funny Cide was a remarkable American Thoroughbred racehorse who gained significant attention in the early 2000s. Born in 2000, he became famous for his impressive performance in major racing events, particularly capturing public imagination with his underdog story and competitive spirit.
  • 22 Apr 2000 Elian Gonzalez Custody Battle Ends: Federal agents raided Elian Gonzalez's Miami home at 6 a.m. and transported him to Washington DC, concluding one of the most high-profile and emotionally charged custody disputes in American history. This event symbolized complex international relations between the United States and Cuba.
  • 23 Apr 2000 Easter Sunday Tornado Outbreak of 2000: On Easter Sunday, April 23, 2000, a significant severe weather event occurred across the Southern United States, characterized by an extensive tornado outbreak. During a concentrated 7-hour period, meteorologists documented 28 confirmed tornadoes (comprising 36 total tornadic events) that swept through a multi-state region. The outbreak primarily impacted the geographical corridor spanning McCurtain County in Southeast Oklahoma, traversing Southwest Arkansas, cutting through Northeast Texas, and extending into Northwest Louisiana. This meteorological event caused substantial damage to communities and infrastructure in these rural and suburban areas, highlighting the unpredictable and destructive potential of springtime severe weather in the region.
  • 24 Apr 2000 Microsoft Antitrust Lawsuit Ruling: U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson ruled that Microsoft displayed anticompetitive behavior, siding with the government on key points in a landmark antitrust case that challenged the software giant's market dominance.
  • 25 Apr 2000 Vermont Legalizes Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples: The State of Vermont made history by passing House Bill 847, becoming the first U.S. state to legally recognize civil unions for same-sex couples, a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.
  • 29 Apr 2000 Death of Pham Van Dong, Vietnamese Prime Minister: Pham Van Dong, a prominent Vietnamese political leader who served as Prime Minister from 1955 to 1987, passed away at the age of 94. He was a key figure in Vietnam's struggle for independence and played a significant role during the Vietnam War era.
  • 30 Apr 2000 Canonization of Saint Faustina Kowalska: Pope John Paul II canonized Sister Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun and mystic, in a grand ceremony at St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. The event was attended by approximately 200,000 people and marked the first global celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday, a significant day in the Catholic liturgical calendar. Sister Faustina is known for her spiritual writings and her role in spreading the message of God's mercy.