Today in history: April 1
The United States Air Force Academy was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and more events that happened on this day in history.
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1945: Okinawa
In 1945, American forces launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa during World War II. (U.S. forces succeeded in capturing the Japanese island on June 22.)
1954: The United States Air Force Academy
In 1954, the United States Air Force Academy was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1970: Richard Nixon
In 1970, President Richard M. Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and television, to take effect after Jan. 1, 1971.
1972: Major League Baseball
In 1972, the first Major League Baseball players’ strike began; it lasted 12 days.
1975: Lon Nol
In 1975, with Khmer Rouge guerrillas closing in, Cambodian President Lon Nol resigned and fled into exile, spending the rest of his life in the United States.
1976: Apple Computer
In 1976, Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne.
1984: Marvin Gaye
In 1984, Marvin Gaye was shot to death by his father, Marvin Gay (correct), Sr. in Los Angeles, the day before the recording star’s 45th birthday. (The elder Gay pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and received probation.)
1987: Ronald Reagan
In 1987, in his first speech on the AIDS epidemic, President Ronald Reagan told doctors in Philadelphia, “We’ve declared AIDS public health enemy no. 1.”
2003: Jessica Lynch
In 2003, American troops entered a hospital in Nasiriyah (nah-sih-REE’-uh), Iraq, and rescued Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who had been held prisoner since her unit was ambushed on March 23.
2011: Afghanistan
Ten years ago: Afghans angry over the burning of a Quran at a small Florida church stormed a U.N. compound in northern Afghanistan, killing seven foreigners, including four Nepalese guards.
2016: Nuclear Security Summit
Five years ago: World leaders ended a nuclear security summit in Washington by declaring progress in safeguarding nuclear materials sought by terrorists and wayward nations, even as President Barack Obama acknowledged the task was far from finished.
2020: Donald Trump
One year ago: President Donald Trump acknowledged that the federal stockpile of personal protective equipment used by doctors and nurses was nearly depleted, and he warned of some “horrific” days ahead for the country. Resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order, Trump said he wanted to give governors “flexibility” to respond to the coronavirus.
2020: Grand Canyon National Park
One year ago: Grand Canyon National Park joined some other national parks in shutting down indefinitely in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
2020: USS Theodore Roosevelt
One year ago: Navy officials struggling to quarantine crew members in the face of an outbreak on a U.S. aircraft carrier said nearly 3,000 sailors would be taken off of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in Guam.
2020: Wimbledon
One year ago: England’s Wimbledon tennis tournament was canceled for the first time since World War II.
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