CalEvents:Apr/Apr 15
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for April 15
Date
Event
Significance
April 15, 1947
Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier in Major League Baseball
On this day, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was a monumental moment in American sports and civil rights history, breaking racial segregation in professional sports and paving the way for other African-American athletes.
April 15, 1960
Founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
On this day, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was officially founded during a conference held by Ella Baker at Shaw University. SNCC would become one of the most important organizations in the American Civil Rights Movement, known for its role in organizing sit-ins, freedom rides, and voter registration efforts.
April 15, 1980
Zimbabwe gains formal independence from the United Kingdom
On this day, Zimbabwe officially gained its independence from the United Kingdom after a long period of conflict known as the Rhodesian Bush War. Robert Mugabe became the first prime minister of independent Zimbabwe, marking the end of white-minority rule and the beginning of Black-majority governance.
April 15, 1994
Rwandan Genocide intensifies
On this day, the Rwandan Genocide continued to escalate, with Hutu extremists targeting Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The international community remained slow to intervene, and the violence would result in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people by the time the genocide ended in July 1994.
April 15, 2010
Protests in South Africa against government corruption
On this day, protests erupted across South Africa against corruption within the government. The protests reflected growing frustration with the African National Congress (ANC) and its leadership, as citizens demanded greater transparency and accountability.
April 15, 2014
Global response to Boko Haram kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls
On this day, the international response to the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria, intensified. The #BringBackOurGirls campaign gained momentum, drawing attention to the plight of the girls and the ongoing insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
April 15, 2019
Omar al-Bashir charged with corruption after his ouster in Sudan
On this day, former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who had been ousted days earlier, was charged with corruption. This event marked a significant moment in Sudan’s political transition, as the country moved toward establishing a civilian-led government.