Events on Apr 10
- 0837Comet 1P / 837 F1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0334 AUs of Earth
- 0847St. Leo IV begins his reign as Catholic Pope
- 0879Louis III, crowned King of France
- 1500France captures Duke Ludovico Sforza of Milan
- 15161st ghetto, Jews are compelled to live in specific area of Venice
- 1552Henri II of France occupies Metz
- 1589Spanish troops conquer Geertruidenberg
- 1656Dutch fleet occupiers Colombo Ceylon
- 1694Duke Victor Amadeus of Savoye attacks Casale
- 1739Dick Turpin executed in England for horse stealing
- 1741Prussians defeat Austrians at Mollwitz
- 1790Robert Gray is 1st American to circumnavigate the Earth
- 1790US Patent system forms
- 1815Austria declares war on realm of Naples
- 18162nd Bank of US chartered
- 18251st hotel in Hawaii opens
- 1835Charles Darwin returns to Santiago, Chile
- 1841New York "Tribune" begins publishing under editor Horace Greeley
- 1845More than 1,000 buildings damaged by fire in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 1849Safety pin patented by Walter Hunt (NYC); sold rights for $100
- 1863Rebel General Earl Van Dorn attacks at Franklin, Tennessee
- 1865At Appomattox, General Lee issues General Order #9, his last
- 1866American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) forms
- 1868Brits defeat King of Abyssinia at Magdala
- 1869Congress increases number of Supreme Court judges from 7 to 9
- 18721st National black convention meets in New Orleans
- 1872Arbor day 1st celebrated in Nebraska, later changed to April 22
- 18771st human cannonball act performed in London
- 1877Federal troops withdrawn from Columbia, South Carolina
- 1878California St. Cable Car RR Co starts service
Born on Apr 10
- 0401Theodosius II [the Younger]: Eastern Roman Emperor
- 1512James I: King of Scotland (1513-42)
- 1569Emilia van Nassau: Daughter of Willem of Orange and Anna of Saxon
- 1583Hugo Grotius: Holland, Netherlands -- Jurist, father of international law
- 1633Werner Fabricius: Composer
- 1695Balthazar Huydecoper: Dutch translator / historian
- 1737Francois Giroust: Composer
- 1755Samuel Hahnemann: German Physician / originator of homeopathy
- 1778William Hazlitt: Maidstone Kent, England -- Essayist / critic
- 1783Hortense E de Beauharnais: French Queen of the Netherlands (1806-10)
- 1794Matthew Calbraith Perry: Commodore, opened Japan
- 1806Leonidas Polk: Lieutenant General (Confederate Army), died in 1864
- 1808Auguste Franchomme: Composer
- 1823Thomas Reade Rootes Cobb: Brigadier General (Confederate Army)
- 1827Lewis Wallace: Major General (Union volunteers) / author (Ben Hur)
- 1829William Booth: Founder (Salvation Army)
- 1833David McMurtrie Gregg: Bvt Major General (Union volunteers)
- 1833James Edward Rains: Brigadier General (Confederate Army), died in 1862
- 1847Charles Swinnerton Heap: Composer
- 1847Joseph Pulitzer: Hungary -- Publisher (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, New York World)
- 1854Jozef M T Orelio: Baritone
- 1857Henry Ernest Dudeney: Mathematician / puzzle maker
- 1864Tully Marshall: Nevada City, California
- 1868George Arliss: London, England -- Actor (Devil, Green Goddess)
- 1877Alfred Kubin: Writer
- 1880Frances Perkins: 1st woman to hold cabinet-level position (Labor)
- 1882Simon F H J Berkelbach Van der Sprenkel: Theologist (Fear & Religion)
- 1886Val Paul
- 1887Bernardo A Houssay: Argentine physiologist (Nobel 1947)
- 1887Heinz Tiessen: Composer
Died on Apr 10
- 0879Louis II [the Stutterer]: King of France (877-79)
- 0947Hugo van Arles: Count of Arles / King of Italy
- 1008Notger: Bishop of Luik (972-1008)
- 1362Machteld: Countess of Holland
- 1533Frederik I: King of Denmark / Norway (1523-33), dies at 61
- 1585Gregory XIII [Ugo Buoncampagni]: Italian Pope (1572-85)
- 1640Agostino Agazzari: Italian composer, dies at 61
- 1640Charlotte Flandrina van Nassau: Daughter of Willem I, dies at 60
- 1712Yusuf Nabi: Turkish Poet (Hayriye), dies at about 77
- 1723Claude F Tserclaes: South Netherlands Earl of Tilly, dies at 74
- 1731Maximilian Dietrich Freisslich: Composer, dies at 58
- 1756Giacomo Antonio Perti: Italian composer, dies at 94
- 1760Gerard George Clifford: Head of East-Indian Company, dies at 75
- 1784Simon Fokke: Book illustrator, dies at 71
- 1810Konrad Back: Composer, dies at 60
- 1848Godert AGP baron van Capellen: Governor-General of Dutch-Indies, dies at 69
- 1862William Harvey Lamb Wallace: US lawyer / Brigadier General, dies at 40
- 1863Giovanni B Amia: Italian astronomer / physicist / botanist, dies at 77
- 1885John H Scholten: Theologist (Free Want), dies at 73
- 1909Algernon Charles Swinburne: English poet, dies at 72
- 1911Mikolajus Konstantinas Ciurlionis: Composer, dies at 35
- 1919Emiliano Zapata: Mexican leader, murdered at 39
- 1920Moritz B Cantor: German mathematician, dies at 90
- 1920Tryggve Andersen: Norwegian writer (Mod Kvaeld), dies at 53
- 1929Edmond Thieffry: Belgium -- WWI pilot, dies at 36
- 1937Algernon Ashton: Composer, dies at 77
- 1938Nana Annor Adjaye: Pan-Africanist, dies in West Nzima, Ghana
- 1939Alfredo Panzini: Ital Author (Il Bacio de Lesba), dies at 75
- 1945Hendrik N Werkman: Resistance / Painter (Blue Boat), executed at 63
- 1954Ludwig Curtius: German archaeologist (Die antike Kunst), dies at 79
Historical events on April 11
- 0672Deusdedit III begins his reign as Catholic Pope
- 1471King Edward IV of England conquers London from Henry VI
- 1512Battle at Ravenna: France under Gaston de Foix beat Spanish Army
- 1551English Premier John Dudley appointed Duke of Northumberland
- 1564England and France sign Peace of Troyes
- 1564Liege prince-bishop Robert van Bergen resigns
- 1567Dutch Prince William of Orange flees from Antwerp to Breda
- 1579Venlo joins Union of Utrecht
- 1580Drenthe joins Union of Utrecht
- 1677Battle at Montcassel, French troops beat Prince William III
- 1689William III and Mary II crowned as joint rulers of Britain
- 1713Peace of Utrecht; France cedes Maritime provinces to Britain - English, Prussian, Savoois, Portuguese and French peace treaty
- 18141st abdication of France by Napoleon; he is exiled to Elba
- 1830Robert Schumann attends piano concerto by Paganini
- 1848Hungary becomes constitutional monarchy under King Ferdinand of Aust
- 1862Rebels surrender Ft Pulaski, Georgia-Rebels surrender
- 1863Battle of Suffolk, VA (Norfleet House)
- 1865Battle of Mobile, AL - evacuated by Confederates
- 1865Lincoln urges a spirit of generous conciliation during reconstruction
- 1876Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organizes
- 1876Sir Charles Gordon ends religious tolerance in Sudan
- 1881River ferry "Princess Victoria" sinks in Thames River Ont, 180 die
- 1881Spelman College founded
- 1890Ellis Island designated as an immigration station
- 1898President McKinley asks for Spanish-American War declaration
- 1899Treaty of Paris ratifies ends war; Spain cedes Puerto Rico to US
- 1902Battle at Rooiwal, South-Africa
- 1906Einstein introduces his Theory of Relativity
- 1907New York Giant Roger Bresnahan becomes 1st catcher to wear shin guards
- 1912Cornerstone of Technion in Haifa Palestine laid
Born on April 11
- 1370Frederick I the Warlike: Elector of Saxony
- 1586Pietro Della Valle: Composer
- 1602Johann Neukrantz: Composer
- 1638Diogo Diaz Melgaz: Composer
- 1661Antoine Coypel: French painter / poet
- 1681Anne Danican Philidor: Composer
- 1682Jean-Joseph Mouret: Composer
- 1715John Alcock: Composer
- 1722Christopher Smart: English poet and journalist (Ceremony of Carols)
- 1735Pierre Nicolas La Houssaye: Composer
- 1769Johann Georg Lickl: Composer
- 1772Manuel Jose Quintana: Spanish author / poet (El Duque de Viseo)
- 1775Charles-Francois Dumonchau: Composer
- 1779Louise Reichardt: Composer
- 1793Nicolaas C Kist: Dutch church historian / archivist
- 1794Edward Everett: Dorchester, Massachusetts -- (Gov-Massachusetts) Statesman / orator
- 1801Claude Tillier: French journalist / writer (My Uncle Benjamin)
- 1815Klara Fey: German orchestra leader (Deutscher Arbeiterverein)
- 1825Ferdinand Lassalle: French politician / founder (Allgemeiner)
- 1837Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth: Colonel (Union Army), died in 1861
- 1838Joseph Leopold Rockel: Composer
- 1840John Conrad Nordqvist: Composer
- 1856Constantly Lievens: Flemish Missionary in India
- 1859Basil Harwood: Composer
- 1862Charles Evans Hughs: 11th Chief Justice of Supreme Court (1930-41)
- 1862William W Campbell: US astronomer / director Lick Observatory
- 1867John P Lotsy: Dutch Botanist / geneticist (Genetics)
- 1879Leendert Round: Dutch sculptor (entrance Rotterdam Zoo)
- 1881Harvey Bartlett Gaul: Composer
- 1883Leonard Mudie: England, United Kingdom -- Actor (Magnetic Monster, British Intelligence)
Died on April 11
- 0678Donus: Italian Pope (676-78)
- 1034Romanus III Argyrus: Byzantine Emperor (1028-34), assasinated by wife
- 1240Llywelyn ab Iorwerth the Great: Monarch of Wales (1194-1240)
- 1500Michael T Marullus: Greeks poet, drowns
- 1512Gaston de Foix: French pretender to Navarra throne, dies in battle
- 1648Matthaus Apelles von Lowenstern: Composer, dies at 53
- 1729Manuel de Egues: Composer, dies at 71
- 1783Nikita I Panin: Russian Earl / ambassador in Denmark, dies at 64
- 1810Jakob Zupan: Composer, dies at 75
- 1812Gottlieb Schick: German Painter (Opfer Noachs), dies at 35
- 1838Pieter L Uys: South African pioneer (Great Pull), murdered at 40
- 1839John Galt: Scottish writer (Last of the Lairds), dies at 59
- 1842John England: Bishop of Charleston Carolina
- 1853Louis Emmanuel Eadin: Composer
- 1854Karl Adolph von Basedow: German DR (Ziekte van Basedow), dies at 55
- 1875Heinrich Schwabe: Discoverer (11-year sunspot cycle)
- 1881Kristian Mandrup Elster: Norwegian Author (Torn Trondal), dies at 40
- 1901Ivar Christian Hallstrom: Composer, dies at 74
- 1902Potgieter: South African Boer General, dies in battle
- 1903Gemma Galgani: Italian saint, dies at 25
- 1906Georgi Apollonovitch Gapon: Rus-orthodox clergyman / tsarist agent
- 1906James A Bailey: Circus showman (Barnum & Bailey), dies at 58
- 1916Richard Harding Davis: Journalist, dies at 52
- 1921Augusta Victoria: Queen of Prussia / Wife of Emperor Wilhelm II
- 1936Mitya Stillman: Composer, dies at 44
- 1939SS Van Dine [William Huntingdon Wright]: Detective writer, dies at 50
- 1945Kamiel van Baelen: Flemish resistance fighter (in Dachau), dies at 29
- 1961Francis de Bourguignon: Composer, dies at 70
- 1969Ludvig Irgens Jensen: Composer, dies at 74
- 1973Ted Decorsia: Actor (Police Chief Hegedorn-Steve Canyon), dies at 69
Events on Apr 12
- 1111Pope Paschalis II crowns Henry V, Roman Emperor
- 12044th Crusade occupies and plunders Constantinople
- 1385John without Fear marries Margaretha of Brabant
- 1385Willem van Oostervant weds Philip the Stouts daughter Margaretha (10)
- 1545French King Francois I orders protestants of Vaudois to be killed
- 1583William of Orange marries Louise de Coligny
- 1606England adopts Union Jack as its flag
- 1648University of Harderwijk Netherlands solemn opens
- 1654England, Ireland and Scotland united
- 17091st edition of Tattler magazine in England
- 1713Dutch State-General signs peace with France: Netherlands loses Orange Princedom
- 1770Townsend Acts repealed
- 1776Halifax resolution for independence adopted by North Carolina
- 1782Battle at Les Saintes West-Indies: British fleet beats French
- 18111st US colonists on Pacific coast arrive at Cape Disappointment, Washington
- 1844Texas became a US territory
- 18581st US billiards championship (Michael J Phelan wins in Detroit)
- 1859Hibernia Savings & Loan Society of SF incorporates
- 1861Fort Sumter, SC is shelled by Confederacy, starting Civil War
- 1862James Andrews steals Confederate train (General) at Kennesaw, Georgia
- 1862Union troops occupy Fort Pulaski, Georgia
- 1864Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest captures Fort Pillow, Tennessee
- 1869North Carolina legislature passes anti-Klan Law
- 1872Jesse James gang robs bank in Columbia, Kentucky (1 dead / $1,500)
- 1877British annex Transvaal, in South Africa
- 1883French troops under Lieutenant Colonel Borgnis-Desbordes occupy Bamako Senegal
- 1892George C Blickensderfer patents portable typewriter
- 1893Battle at Hoornkrans Southwest-Africa: German Schutztruppen chases away Hottentotten under Hendrik Witbooi
- 1894British and Belgian secret accord on dividing Central-Africa
- 1896Stamasia Portrisi is 1st woman to win a marathon (5:30 in Athens)
Born on Apr 12
- 1500Joachim Camerarius [Liebhard Kammerer]: German humanist
- 1579Francois de Bassompierre: Marshal of France
- 1626Paul Hainlein: Composer
- 1695Caspar Burman: Historian / Mayor (Utrecht, Netherlands)
- 1722Pietro Nardini: Composer
- 1724Lyman Hall: US Physician (signed Declaration of Independence)
- 1727Gaspare Gabellone: Composer
- 1760Juan Manuel Olivares: Composer
- 1764Dirk van den Boetzelaer: Regent of Holland
- 1769Giovanni Agostino Perotti: Composer
- 1777Henry Clay [the Great Compromiser]: US politician
- 1788Johann Erik Nordblom: Composer
- 1791Francis Preston Blair: Newspaper editor (Washington Globe)
- 1792John George Lambton: London, England -- Statesman (1st Earl of Durham)
- 1793Ferdinand I KLJM [the Good Natured]: Emperor of Austria / King of Hungary
- 1794Germinal P Dandelin: Belgian mathematician (geometry)
- 1801Henry de Cock: Dutch reformed vicar / secession leader
- 1801Josef Franz Karl Lanner: Austria -- Composer / violist
- 1802Francois MP Liberman: French relig leader (Congregation of Heart)
- 1815Henry Hugo Pierson: Composer
- 1823Aleksandr Ostrovsky: Russian playwright (Artists & Admirers)
- 1827Edward Mollenhauer: Composer
- 1831Constantin Meunier: Belgian painter / sculptor
- 1831George Burgwyn Anderson: Brigadier General (Confederate Army)
- 1831Grenville Mellen Dodge: Major General (Union volunteers)
- 1838John Shaw Billings: United States -- Librarian / army Physician
- 1839Victorin de Joncieres: Composer
- 1840Edmond Audran: Composer
- 1851Emil Liebling: Composer
- 1852[Carl L] Ferdinand von Lindemann: German mathematician
Died on Apr 12
- 0352Julius I: Pope (337-52)
- 1550Claude of Lorraine: Duke of Guise, dies at 53
- 1555Johanna de Wanzinnige: Queen of Castilie (1504-20), dies at 75
- 1690Miguel Gomez Camargo: Composer, dies at 71
- 1704John Hudde: 21x Mayor of Amsterdam, dies at 76
- 1748William Kent: English Sculptor / Architect (Kensington Palace)
- 1760Baron Ernst Gottlieb: Composer, dies at 64
- 1788Carl Joseph Toeschi: Composer, dies at 56
- 1788Carlo Antonio Campioni: Composer, dies at 67
- 1795Rainieri de Calzabigi: Italian literary, dies at 80
- 1797Josef Antonin Stepan: Composer, dies at 71
- 1817Charles Messier: "comet ferret" and catalogs famous "M objects"
- 1828Jean Henri Appelius: Dutch lawyer / Minister of Finance, dies at 60
- 1845Henry M baron the Kock: Officer / politician, dies at 65
- 1859John Emde: German evangelist, dies at about 84
- 1864Thomas Green: US Confederate Brigadier General, dies in battle at 50
- 1878William M "Boss" Tweed: New York politician
- 1896Alexander Ritter: Composer, dies at 62
- 1909Hermann Kotzchmar: Composer, dies at 79
- 1910William G Sumner: US sociologist / politicologist (Folkways), dies at 69
- 1912Clara Barton: Organizer (American Red Cross), dies at 90
- 1914Josef Nesvera: Composer, dies at 71
- 1922Frantisek Ondricek: Composer, dies at 64
- 1938Feodor Chaliapine: Russian Author (Man & Mark), dies at 65
- 1942Johannes E Akkeringa: Dutch Painter / etcher, dies at 80
- 1945Franklin Delano Roosevelt: 32nd President (D) (1933-1945), dies at 63
- 1946August Borms: Flemish Nazi collaborator, executed at 67
- 1946F Guicciardi: Writer
- 1947Christian F L Leipoldt: South African writer (Die Moormansgat)
- 1951Harold Vincent Milligan: Composer, dies at 62