5 April Through the Ages
Historic Event of April 5: Significant occurrences that took place on this day throughout the annals of time.
Let's dive into some intriguing happenings throughout history on this date:
1722: Dutch Discovery, Rapa Nui Style
Jacob Roggeveen, an explorer with a knack for discovery, stumbled upon the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui on Easter Sunday. He dubbed the island "Paasch Eyland" (Easter Island) after landing on the festive day.[1]
1805: HMS Victory and the Star of the Sea
Born on this day in 1769 was Thomas Masterman Hardy, who went down in history as the captain of HMS Victory. This illustrious ship was a floating fortress for none other than Admiral Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar, a turning point in England's war with France.
1906: Rock the Vesuvius, Earthquakes and Ash Galore
Mount Vesuvius conjured an apocalyptic scene as it erupted on 5 April, engulfing the surrounding villages and killing countless souls. What followed was sheer chaos in Naples, with ash raining down and earthquakes shaking the city, causing a panic among the thousands of refugees who had fled.[2]
1958: Boom! Ripple Rock Splits, imperial Measurements
An impressive explosion shook British Columbia, Canada when the peak of Ripple Rock was obliterated. Over 1,000 tonnes of Nitramex explosive were used in this massive undertaking, ultimately ridings the area of a hazardous submerged mountain that had previously claimed more than 120 vessels.[3]
1943: Mortsel, Antwerp, a Tragic Mistake
A housing area in Mortsel, Antwerp, was struck by American planes, targeting a nearby factory that was being used to repair German warplanes. Sadly, the mix-up led to the death of 936 people, including 200 innocent children.[4]
References:
[1] Historical Encyclopedia of the World
[2] BBC - History - On This Day
[3] Canadian Encyclopedia
[4] History Learning Site
On this day in politics and general news, a tragic error led to the devastating bombing of a housing area in Mortsel, Antwerp, claiming the lives of 936 people, including 200 innocent children, in 1943. In war-and-conflicts news, Mount Vesuvius erupted on this same day in 1906, causing the death of countless souls and chaos in Naples as ash rained down and earthquakes shook the city.
