Historical Events
Senator Horace Mann
Apr 3 American education reformer Horace Mann joins the US Senate, representing Massachusetts
Leichhardt Disappears
Apr 3 German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt is seen for the last time at McPherson's Station, Coogoon, before he disappears on the same expedition to reach the Swan River in Australia [1]
- Apr 3 Thomas Douglas becomes 1st public teacher in San Francisco
- Apr 6 Jews of Prussia granted equality
- Apr 8 1st battle at Gioto: Sardinia-Piemonte beats Austrians
- Apr 8 Battle at Xaquixaguana, Peru: Pedro de la Gasca beats Gonzalo Pizarro
- Apr 11 Hungary becomes constitutional monarchy under King Ferdinand of Austria
- Apr 18 American victory at the battle of Cerro Gordo opens the way for invasion of Mexico
Alfred Wallace for South America
Apr 26 Alfred Russel Wallace departs the U.K. for South America, beginning four years of travel, collecting, and research in the region
- Apr 28 Slavery abolished in French colonies
Famous Birthdays
- Apr 7 Randall Thomas Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury (d. 1930)
- Apr 9 Francis MacKinnon, English cricket batsman (1 Test; Kent CCC) and 35th Chief of MacKinnon clan, born in London, England (d. 1947)
- Apr 9 Helene Lange, German feminist (honoured with the Grand Prussian State Medal), born in Oldenburg, Germany (d. 1930)
- Apr 12 José Gautier Benítez, Puerto Rican poet, born in Caguas, Puerto Rico (d. 1880)
- Apr 16 Kandukuri Veeresalingam, Indian social reformer from Andhra Pradesh, born in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India (d. 1919)
- Apr 27 Otto I of Bavaria, King of Bavaria (1886-1913), born in The Residence, Munich (d. 1916)
- Apr 28 Ludvig Schytte, Danish pianist, composer, and educator, born in Aarhus, Denmark (d. 1909) [1] [2]
- Apr 29 Raja Ravi Varma, Indian painter, born in Kilimanoor, Travancore (d. 1906)
Famous Weddings
- Apr 10 British influential art critic and social commentator John Ruskin marries Effie Gray in Perth, Scotland (later annulled).
Famous Deaths
Ludwig Leichhardt (1813-1848)
Apr 4 German explorer of northern and central Australia, disappears on an expedition at 34
- Apr 8 Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti, Italian composer, dies at 50
- Apr 10 Godert van der Capellen, Dutch statesman (Governor-General of Dutch-Indies, 1819-26), dies at 69
- Apr 24 Francois van Campenhout, Belgian composer (Brabanconne), dies at 69
- Apr 30 Friedrich Freiherr Gagern, German Dutch army commandant, dies at 53
