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Major Events of April 2004: 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 2004 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of April 2004: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 2004 Gmail Launch: Google introduces Gmail, a revolutionary email service that would dramatically transform digital communication and eventually become one of the world's most popular email platforms.
  • 02 Apr 2004 Thwarted Madrid Train Bombing Attempt: Islamist terrorists connected to the 11 March 2004 Madrid train bombings attempted to bomb the Spanish high-speed AVE train near Madrid. Spanish authorities successfully intercepted and prevented the terrorist attack.
  • 03 Apr 2004 Madrid Train Bombings Terrorists Cornered and Killed: Islamist terrorists involved in the March 11, 2004 Madrid train bombings were trapped by Spanish police in their apartment in Leganés. Facing imminent arrest, the suspects detonated explosives, killing themselves and resulting in one police officer's death and eleven others injured.
  • 04 Apr 2004 9/11 Commission Chairman Reflects on Preventable Attacks: Thomas H. Kean, chairman of the 9/11 Commission and former Republican governor of New Jersey, believes the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks could have been prevented if the United States had acted more swiftly to eliminate Al Qaeda and respond faster to emerging terrorist threats.
  • 05 Apr 2004 U.S. Confrontation with Muqtada Al-Sadr in Iraq: Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in Iraq, declares Muqtada Al-Sadr an outlaw and warns of zero tolerance for uprisings led by the militant Shiite cleric, signaling escalating tensions in post-invasion Iraq.
  • 06 Apr 2004 Intense Iraq Conflict: Coalition forces faced significant challenges from rebellious Shiites and Iraqi insurgents. The conflict resulted in at least 30 Iraqi deaths, 16 killed in Fallujah, over 116 injuries, and the loss of 18 American soldiers, along with casualties from Ukrainian and Salvadoran troops.
  • 07 Apr 2004 U.S. Military Operation Against Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia: U.S. military forces surrounded the Baghdad office of Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr in an attempt to arrest the controversial cleric. The operation was met with significant resistance, as approximately 500 militia members responded by burning tires and establishing roadblocks. Tensions escalated with snipers positioned in homes within Sadr City, highlighting the complex and volatile nature of the conflict in Iraq.
  • 08 Apr 2004 Condoleezza Rice 9/11 Commission Testimony: National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice provides critical testimony before the 9/11 Commission, asserting that President George W. Bush understood the al-Qaeda threat before September 11 and was determined to develop a more robust counterterrorism policy.
  • 09 Apr 2004 US Marines Continue Fallujah Operation: After a brief humanitarian pause, US Marines resume their military advance in Fallujah. Attempts to negotiate surrender terms fail when city representatives do not appear, indicating the complex and tense nature of urban warfare.
  • 10 Apr 2004 9/11 Pre-Attack Intelligence Briefing: The White House declassified a critical Presidential Daily Brief from August 2001, which presciently warned of potential al-Qaeda activities and planned hijackings within the United States, revealing significant pre-9/11 intelligence insights.
  • 11 Apr 2004 Alarming Climate Change Predictions for Greenland: European researchers warned that Greenland's average temperatures could rise by 3°C (5.4°F), potentially causing its massive ice sheet to melt. This could result in a sea-level rise of 7 meters (23 feet) over the next 1,000 years, primarily driven by increasing global carbon dioxide emissions.
  • 12 Apr 2004 Brian Lara Scores Historic 400 Not Out: West Indies captain Brian Lara made history by becoming the first batsman to score 400 runs in a single Test innings. His remarkable performance came against England in the fourth Test at Antigua, helping the West Indies reach a total of 751-5 declared. Lara achieved this milestone in 773 minutes, facing 582 balls and hitting 43 fours and four sixes.
  • 13 Apr 2004 September 11 Commission Releases Provisional Report: The September 11 Commission releases a provisional report critically examining the FBI's counterterrorism efforts, highlighting significant challenges including insufficient intelligence, inadequate staffing, and bureaucratic inefficiencies that hindered anti-terrorism operations.
  • 14 Apr 2004 Bush Supports Sharon's Gaza Withdrawal Plan: U.S. President George W. Bush endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. He also stated that Palestinian refugees must return to a Palestinian state, not Israel, and that returning to 1949 armistice lines was unrealistic.
  • 15 Apr 2004 Osama Bin Laden Audio Tape Broadcast: Al-Arabiya broadcasted an audio tape allegedly from Osama Bin Laden, offering to halt terrorist operations in European countries that withdraw troops from Muslim nations. The tape also threatened vengeance against Israel and the United States following the killing of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin.
  • 16 Apr 2004 US Military Operation in Falluja: The US Army deploys a massive 1,000-kg bomb in Falluja near Najaf, a predominantly Shiite town in Iraq, as part of ongoing military operations during the Iraq War.
  • 17 Apr 2004 Suicide Bombing at Erez Crossing: A suicide bombing attack at the Erez Crossing in northern Gaza resulted in the death of an Israeli border officer. Both Hamas and Fatah claimed responsibility for the attack.
  • 18 Apr 2004 Death of Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Fijian Political Leader: Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, a pivotal figure in Fijian political history, passed away at the age of 83. He served as the first Prime Minister of Fiji from 1970 to 1992 and later became the President of Fiji from 1994 to 2000, playing a crucial role in the nation's transition to independence and early governance.
  • 19 Apr 2004 Shell Reserve Reporting Scandal Exposed: A comprehensive 463-page report by Davis Polk & Wardwell revealed significant corporate governance failures at Royal Dutch/Shell. The audit committee's investigation exposed how the company systematically exaggerated its oil and natural gas reserve estimates, highlighting critical issues in corporate transparency and accountability.
  • 20 Apr 2004 NASA Launches Gravity Probe B: NASA launched the Gravity Probe B satellite to test Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity, representing a significant milestone in scientific exploration and understanding of fundamental physics.
  • 21 Apr 2004 Iraqi Tribunal Selected to Try Saddam Hussein: The Iraqi Governing Council established a tribunal of judges and prosecutors to put Saddam Hussein on trial. Salem Chalabi, nephew of Ahmed Chalabi, was appointed as the tribunal's chairman, marking a significant step in Iraq's post-Saddam judicial process.
  • 22 Apr 2004 Ryongchon Train Disaster: A catastrophic train collision in Ryongchon, North Korea, involving two trains carrying explosives and fuel, resulted in a massive explosion that killed 161 people, injured 1,300, and destroyed thousands of homes. The incident was one of the most devastating train accidents in North Korean history.
  • 23 Apr 2004 North Korea Requests UN Disaster Assistance: In an unprecedented move, the North Korean government broke from its typical isolationist stance by requesting and accepting United Nations assistance for recovery following the Ryongchon disaster.
  • 24 Apr 2004 Deadly Attacks in Baghdad: A bomb at Sadr City Market in Baghdad killed twelve Iraqis. In a separate incident, five US soldiers were killed in a rocket attack on a military base, highlighting the ongoing violence and instability in Iraq during the post-invasion period.
  • 25 Apr 2004 March for Women's Lives in Washington D.C.: A massive pro-choice demonstration took place in Washington D.C., with an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 protesters rallying against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 and other reproductive rights restrictions. This event highlighted the ongoing national debate about women's reproductive rights and healthcare.
  • 26 Apr 2004 Jordan Thwarts Major Terrorist Plot: Jordanian authorities successfully prevented a potentially catastrophic terrorist attack plotted by Al Qaida operative Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The planned attack targeted high-profile locations including the Prime Minister's office, intelligence headquarters, and the US Embassy, with potential use of toxic chemicals.
  • 27 Apr 2004 Thabo Mbeki's Second Presidential Term: Thabo Mbeki was sworn in for his second term as President of South Africa on April 27, 2004, following his overwhelming election victory on April 14. The event was marked by diplomatic tension due to the controversial attendance of Robert Mugabe.
  • 28 Apr 2004 Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse Scandal Exposed: CBS News released comprehensive photographic evidence documenting systematic torture and prisoner abuse by American troops against Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. The photographs revealed deeply disturbing instances of human rights violations, including sexual abuse and physical mistreatment of prisoners.
  • 29 Apr 2004 Abu Ghraib Prisoner Abuse Scandal: Shocking photographs revealing systematic torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad were released, causing international outrage. Six soldiers faced court-martial, and commanding officers were suspended for their involvement in these egregious human rights violations.
  • 30 Apr 2004 Abu Ghraib Prison Abuse Scandal Exposed: U.S. media released graphic photographic evidence of American soldiers committing war crimes and sexually abusing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison, revealing systemic misconduct and human rights violations during the Iraq War.