This Day in History: April 14

1865 US President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated

On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, hoped to revive the Confederate cause, which had surrendered just days earlier, bringing an end to the American Civil War. Lincoln died the following day, and the nation mourned his passing.

1912 RMS Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic

On April 15, 1912, the RMS Titanic, the world's largest ocean liner, hit an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic. More than 1,500 people lost their lives in one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history.

1914 Dr. Harry Plotz discovers the cause of Typhus Fever

In 1914, Dr. Harry Plotz of New York's Mt. Sinai Hospital discovered the bacterium that causes Typhus Fever, a disease that had plagued humans for centuries. His discovery led to the development of vaccines and better treatment options for the illness.

1935 Severe dust storm hits the US Midwest, leading to the "Dust Bowl"

On April 14, 1935, a severe dust storm swept through the US Midwest, causing widespread damage and creating what became known as the "Dust Bowl." The region suffered from a decade-long drought and poor farming practices that had depleted the soil, exacerbating the effects of the storm and causing lasting environmental damage.

1981 First Space Shuttle mission returns to Earth

On April 14, 1981, the first Space Shuttle mission, Columbia 1, successfully completed its mission and returned to Earth. The Space Shuttle program revolutionized space travel by making it possible to launch and reuse spacecraft, paving the way for future exploration and scientific discovery.

1988 Soviet Union agrees to withdraw from Afghanistan

After years of fighting in support of the communist government in Afghanistan, the Soviet Union agreed to withdraw its troops from the country on April 14, 1988. The conflict had been a major drain on Soviet resources and had contributed to the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

2003 Completion of the Human Genome Project

The Human Genome Project, which aimed to map the genes of the human genome, was completed on April 14, 2003. The project began in 1990 and involved the work of thousands of scientists and researchers from around the world. The completion of the project marked a major milestone in our understanding of human biology and has opened up new avenues for medical research and treatment.