33 fun facts for April, 7

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
April 7 is a day filled with history and celebration, including the establishment of the World Health Organization, the end of Prohibition in the United States, and the birth of Billie Holiday. However you choose to celebrate, take some time to reflect on the many fun and intriguing events that have occurred on this special day.
33 Fun facts
  1. On April 7, 1739, Dick Turpin, a famous English highwayman, was executed for horse-stealing. He became a symbol of heroism and rebellion in English literature and culture.
  2. On April 7, 1827, chemist John Walker invented the first friction match, revolutionizing the way people lit fires and making it easier for them to create a spark when needed.
  3. On April 7, 1856, John Fowler patented the agricultural steam plow, an innovation in agricultural methods that significantly increased the efficiency of farming and contributed to the Industrial Revolution.
  4. The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on April 7, 1948, with the aim to improve global health and well-being by disseminating information and providing support to governments in need.
  5. In the United States, April 7 is recognized as National Beer Day to mark the end of Prohibition for beer in 1933. This day is celebrated with a toast to the beverage's history and traditions.
  6. April 7, 1949, was the premiere of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, "South Pacific." This Broadway production has since become a beloved classic and is still performed around the world today.
  7. On April 7, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed the Domino Theory during a news conference, suggesting that if one country falls to communism, its neighbors would also follow suit.
  8. Francis Ford Coppola, an acclaimed American film director, was born on April 7, 1939. Some of his best-known films include The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation.
  9. April 7, 1970, marked the official end of The Beatles, as Paul McCartney announced his departure from the band, following creative and personal differences with the other members.
  10. On April 7, 1963, Yugoslavia was proclaimed a socialist republic under the leadership of President Josip Broz Tito. The country later dissolved in the 1990s, following a series of ethnic conflicts across its territories.
  11. On April 7, 1980, US President Jimmy Carter announced a boycott of the Moscow Summer Olympics due to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. An alternative event, the Liberty Bell Classic, was hosted in Philadelphia for athletes from boycotting countries.
  12. On April 7, 1990, the iconic sci-fi television show Twin Peaks premiered on ABC. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, the series gained a cult following and spawned a revival in 2017.
  13. On April 7, 1994, the Rwandan Genocide began, resulting in the brutal massacre of around 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus over the course of 100 days.
  14. On April 7, 2001, race car driver Helio Castroneves won the first of his three Indianapolis 500 races, earning him the nickname, "Spider-Man," due to his post-race fence-climbing celebrations.
  15. On April 7, 2003, the International Olympic Committee chose Vancouver, Canada as the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics, marking the second time Canada would host the event after Calgary in 1988.
  16. Billie Holiday, an influential jazz vocalist, was born on April 7, 1915. Known for her unique voice and captivating performances, Holiday's music continues to inspire new generations.
  17. The science fiction classic "2001: A Space Odyssey," directed by Stanley Kubrick, premiered in the United States on April 7, 1968. The film is known for its groundbreaking visual effects and themes surrounding human evolution and extraterrestrial life.
  18. On April 7, 2015, Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood announced that the band had been working on a new album, their first since 2005's "A Bigger Bang," with its release set for 2016.
  19. On April 7, 2017, NASA's Cassini spacecraft began its final approach to Saturn, starting a series of orbits before eventually transitioning into a lower orbit and deorbiting into the planet itself, ending the 20-year mission.
  20. April 7, 1969, marks the establishment of the Internet's predecessor, ARPANET, with the first request for comment (RFC) publication by computer scientist Steve Crocker.
  21. On April 7th, 1960, the US Senate passed the Civil Rights Act, which was ultimately signed into law by President Eisenhower in May of that year. The act focused on stopping acts of racial segregation and discrimination in various areas of society.
  22. In Argentina, April 7th is the Day of the Journalist, honoring the work of journalists and the press in preserving the public's right to information.
  23. On April 7, 1994, American musician Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, was found dead as a result of suicide. His music and legacy continue to influence generations of musicians and fans worldwide.
  24. April 7, 1989, marked the first international Pride of Place Awards in the United Kingdom, which recognized outstanding achievements and contributions to community development and improvement.
  25. On April 7, 1979, Soul Train, an American music-dance television program, introduced its Hall of Fame honoring artists, producers, and musicians who made significant contributions to the music industry.
  26. April 7 is No Housework Day, a playful "holiday" that encourages people to take a break from their daily chores and focus on relaxation and self-care instead.
  27. On April 7, 1971, Reginald Auchincloss, American surgeon and founder of The New York Hospital's Auchincloss Pavilion, passed away. He made significant contributions to the field of medicine and was a major factor in developing modern surgical techniques.
  28. April 7, 1938, marked the completion of New York's Empire State Building's spire. This iconic skyscraper stood as the world's tallest building until the World Trade Center's completion in 1970.
  29. Musician and composer Igor Stravinsky conducted his last ballet, "Agon," on April 7, 1957. Stravinsky's compositions contributed to the evolution of modern music, and his work continues to be highly regarded today.
  30. On April 7, 2007, Paris's Le Grand Rex Theatre hosted the largest indoor snowball fight ever, with over 2600 people participating, giving a chance for many Parisians to engage in this playful activity indoors.
  31. On April 7, 1983, the first Space Shuttle Challenger's maiden voyage took off. The Challenger would go on to fly nine successful missions before tragically exploding during its tenth mission in 1986.
  32. The Canadian town of Beaverlodge celebrates an annual Beaverlodge Day on April 7, hosting events and activities that showcase the town's history, culture, and appreciation for the industrious beaver.
  33. April 7 is known as National Handmade Day in the United States, a day to celebrate and appreciate the work of artisans who create handmade products and crafts.