09 April - World War I - The Battle of the Lys 1918

 

The Battle of the Lys, also known as the Fourth Battle of Ypres, was a significant engagement during World War I that took place from April 9 to April 29, 1918. It was part of the larger German Spring Offensive, also known as Operation Georgette, aimed at breaking through Allied lines on the Western Front.

The Battle of the Lys occurred in the Lys River valley in Flanders, Belgium, primarily around the town of Ypres. German forces, under the command of General Erich Ludendorff, launched a massive assault against British, Portuguese, and Belgian troops, seeking to capture strategic positions and gain territory.

The initial German attacks on April 9, 1918, achieved considerable success, overwhelming Allied defenses and causing significant casualties. The Germans made rapid advances, capturing key towns and pushing the Allied forces back.

Despite fierce resistance and counterattacks by the Allies, including British and Portuguese forces, the German onslaught continued, and by April 29th, they had made significant territorial gains in the Lys River valley. However, their advance eventually slowed due to logistical difficulties and stiffening Allied resistance.

The Battle of the Lys resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with thousands of soldiers killed, wounded, or captured. While the Germans achieved some initial success and gained ground, their offensive ultimately failed to achieve its broader objectives of decisively breaking through Allied lines and forcing a negotiated peace.

The Battle of the Lys was one of the last major German offensives of World War I and marked a significant phase in the conflict's final year. It highlighted the intense and costly nature of the fighting on the Western Front and the determination of both sides to prevail in the war.

 

08 April - Venus de Milo an ancient Greek statue was discovered on the Aegean island in 1820

 

The Venus de Milo, also known as the Aphrodite of Milos, an ancient Greek statue celebrated for its beauty and elegance. However, it was not created in 101 BC.

 The statue was discovered on 08 April 1820 by a Greek peasant named Yorgos Kentrotas, who found it buried within the ruins of an ancient city on the island. The statue was missing its arms when it was unearthed, which has led to much speculation about its original pose and purpose.

After its discovery, the Venus de Milo was acquired by the French ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, who subsequently presented it to King Louis XVIII of France. It was eventually donated to the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it remains one of the museum's most iconic and cherished works of art.

The Venus de Milo is celebrated for its graceful depiction of the goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Roman mythology) and its masterful craftsmanship, particularly in its drapery and anatomy. Despite missing its arms, the statue continues to captivate viewers with its timeless beauty and enigmatic expression, making it one of the most famous sculptures in the world.

 

08 April - National Zoo Lovers Day

 

National Zoo Lovers Day is celebrated on April 8th each year. This day is dedicated to appreciating zoos, their conservation efforts, and the opportunity they provide for people to connect with wildlife from around the world.

Zoos play a vital role in conservation by housing and breeding endangered species, conducting research, and educating the public about wildlife and conservation issues. National Zoo Lovers Day is a chance for zoo enthusiasts to visit their favorite zoos, learn about different animal species, and support conservation efforts.

On National Zoo Lovers Day, people may visit their local zoo, participate in special events or activities organized by zoos, donate to zoo conservation programs, or simply share their love for zoos on social media platforms using the hashtag #NationalZooLoversDay.

It's a day to celebrate the wonder of the animal kingdom and the important role that zoos play in preserving biodiversity and fostering appreciation for wildlife.

08 April - Pygmy Hippo Day

 

Pygmy Hippo Day is celebrated on April 8 to raise awareness about the endangered species of hippos. A pygmy hippo is the smaller cousin of a hippopotamus. They are an endangered species that are rapidly moving towards extinction. There are about 2,000 pygmy hippos left in the world, and these are mainly found in Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Pygmy hippos are about half the height of a hippopotamus and weigh less than a quarter of a full-sized hippo. They are believed to have diverged from the common hippo about 10 million years ago.

07 April - Genocide Memorial Day Rwanda

 

April 7th is observed as Genocide Memorial Day in Rwanda. This day  marks the beginning of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.

During the Rwandan Genocide, which lasted for approximately 100 days, an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu were systematically killed by Hutu extremists. The genocide was fueled by longstanding ethnic tensions and political divisions within Rwandan society.

Genocide Memorial Day serves as a time for reflection, remembrance, and honoring the victims of the genocide. It is a day to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, to acknowledge the survivors, and to reaffirm the commitment to preventing such atrocities from happening again.

On this day, Rwandans participate in memorial ceremonies, visit genocide memorials and mass graves, and engage in acts of commemoration and mourning. It is a solemn occasion that reminds the world of the tragic consequences of hatred, intolerance, and division, and the importance of promoting peace, reconciliation, and unity.

07 April - Metric System Day

 

Metric System Day takes place on April 7 every year. Now often used as a synonym for the International System of Units (or S.I.), the metric system is a system of measurement used in most countries of the world except the United States and a few other countries. The metric system was introduced by France in 1799 and it’s an original, decimal-based (based on powers of 10) measurement format based on meters and kilograms. Base units in the metric system include kilograms, meters, and liters. The metric system also uses the Kelvin scale (or the Celsius scale) to measure the temperature. The decimal-based prefixes in the metric system include milli, centi, deci, and kilo. However, these prefixes are not used with the temperature degree.

07 April - Geologists Day

 

Geologists Day is an official holiday for geologists, geophysicists and geochemists in Russia and other former states of the Soviet Union, Established in 1966, the holiday is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday of April.

Geologists Day was initiated by a group of prominent Soviet geologists headed by academician Alexander Yanshin. It was established by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet on March 31, 1966, to commemorate the achievements of Soviet geologists after the discovery of petroleum in West Siberia.

The timing of the holiday, the first Sunday in April, was chosen because it marks the end of winter and beginning of preparation for summer field work and expeditions.

Geologists Day is traditionally celebrated in almost all geological and mining organizations of the former Soviet Union with festivities starting at the end of preceding week. In addition to geologists, many others involved in related fields also consider this day as their professional holiday and celebrate it. 

07 April - Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day (Tanzania)

 

Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day is indeed observed in Tanzania on April 7th each year. This day commemorates the life and contributions of Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, a prominent Tanzanian politician who played a significant role in the country's struggle for independence and its post-independence development.

Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume was born on August 4, 1905, in Zanzibar, which was then a British protectorate. He became actively involved in politics and was a key figure in the Zanzibar Revolution of 1964, which led to the overthrow of the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the establishment of a republic.

Karume served as the first President of Zanzibar from 1964 until his assassination on April 7, 1972. His leadership was characterized by efforts to promote unity, social justice, and economic development in Zanzibar.

On Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day, Tanzanians honor his memory and reflect on his contributions to the country. It is a day of remembrance, respect, and recognition of Karume's role in shaping Tanzania's history and politics. Various events and ceremonies may be held across the country to commemorate this day, including speeches, tributes, and community gatherings.

06 April - The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was established in New York City in 1869

 

The American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) was established in New York City on April 6, 1869. The museum has since become one of the largest and most renowned natural history museums in the world, housing an extensive collection of specimens, artifacts, and exhibits related to anthropology, paleontology, zoology, astronomy, and other scientific disciplines.

The AMNH is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and occupies a vast complex of interconnected buildings. It is well-known for its iconic exhibits, including the dinosaur fossils in the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs and the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life, featuring a life-size model of a blue whale.

Throughout its history, the American Museum of Natural History has played a significant role in scientific research, education, and public outreach. It continues to be a popular destination for visitors of all ages, attracting millions of visitors each year who come to learn about the natural world and the history of life on Earth.

 

06 April - 1973 – Launch of Pioneer 11 spacecraft.

 

Pioneer 11 was launched by NASA on April 6, 1973. It was the second spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and the first to explore Jupiter and Saturn. Pioneer 11 provided valuable data about these gas giants and their moons before its mission officially ended in 1995.