1348day.year
Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV charters Prague University.
In 1348, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV chartered the founding of Prague University, marking the first university in Central Europe.
Chartered by Emperor Charles IV, the University of Prague was the first institution of higher learning in Central and Eastern Europe. It quickly grew into a prestigious center for theology, law, medicine, and the arts. The university attracted scholars and students from across the continent, fostering intellectual exchange and cultural development. Its foundation helped establish Prague as a major political and academic hub within the Holy Roman Empire. The university’s structure influenced the model of later European universities. Today, it stands as Charles University, one of the oldest continually operating universities in the world.
1348
Charles IV
Prague University
1541day.year
Francis Xavier leaves Lisbon on a mission to the Portuguese East Indies.
In 1541, Francis Xavier departed Lisbon on his mission to the Portuguese East Indies, embarking on one of the earliest and most influential Jesuit missionary journeys.
As a co-founder of the Society of Jesus, Francis Xavier set sail from Lisbon aboard a Portuguese carrack destined for India and the Spice Islands. His mission aimed to spread Catholicism and establish schools and churches in Asia. He traveled through Goa, Malacca, and the Moluccas, learning local languages and customs to better engage with indigenous peoples. Xavier’s zeal and adaptability led to thousands of conversions and the foundation of Christian communities across the East Indies. His letters home detailed the challenges of travel, climate, and cultural barriers. Xavier’s work laid the groundwork for future Jesuit missions and left a lasting impact on Christianity in Asia.
1541
Francis Xavier
Lisbon
Portuguese East Indies
1788day.year
Settlers establish Marietta, Ohio, the first permanent settlement created by U.S. citizens in the recently organized Northwest Territory.
In 1788, American settlers founded Marietta in the Northwest Territory, establishing the first permanent U.S. civilian settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains.
Marietta, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers, was planned by the Ohio Company of Associates as a model community. Pioneers built homes, fortifications, and a rudimentary government grounded in the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The settlement served as a launch point for westward expansion and commerce along the Ohio River. It also established precedents for land surveys and town governance in new territories. Despite challenges from the frontier environment and Indigenous resistance, Marietta thrived and attracted new migrants. The town’s founding symbolized the young republic’s ambitions and the vision of Manifest Destiny.
1788
Settlers
Marietta, Ohio
U.S. citizens
Northwest Territory
1824day.year
The Mechanics' Institution is established in Manchester, England at the Bridgewater Arms hotel, as part of a national movement for the education of working men. The institute is the precursor to three Universities in the city: the University of Manchester, UMIST and the Metropolitan University of Manchester (MMU).
On April 7, 1824, the Mechanics' Institution was established in Manchester, England, to provide education for working men and became the precursor to several universities.
Amid Britain’s Industrial Revolution, local reformers in Manchester founded the Mechanics’ Institution on April 7, 1824, at the Bridgewater Arms hotel. Its mission was to offer lectures, classes, and a library to educate artisans, craftsmen, and laborers in science and technology. The institution promoted self-improvement and civic engagement, reflecting a broader movement for adult education and social reform. Over time, it evolved to meet the growing demand for higher learning, eventually giving rise to the University of Manchester, UMIST, and Manchester Metropolitan University. The Mechanics’ Institution’s focus on technical instruction helped fuel industrial innovation and economic growth in the region. Its legacy highlights the transformative power of education in empowering working-class communities. Today, its spirit lives on in Manchester’s world-renowned universities and their commitment to research and social progress.
1824
Mechanics' Institution
Manchester
University of Manchester
UMIST
Metropolitan University of Manchester
1933day.year
Prohibition in the United States is repealed for beer of no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight, eight months before the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Now celebrated as National Beer Day in the United States.)
In 1933, the Cullen-Harrison Act legalized low-alcohol beer, marking the beginning of the end for Prohibition in the US.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Cullen-Harrison Act, allowing beer with up to 3.2% alcohol by weight. At 12:01 AM on April 7, Americans across the country toasted with their first legal beer in over a decade. The measure was a popular move to stimulate the economy during the Great Depression. It preceded the full repeal of Prohibition by the Twenty-first Amendment later that year. Today, April 7 is celebrated as National Beer Day in honor of this momentous change.
1933
Prohibition in the United States
beer
Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution
National Beer Day
United States
1940day.year
Booker T. Washington becomes the first African American to be depicted on a United States postage stamp.
In 1940, Booker T. Washington was honored as the first African American on a US postage stamp.
The US Postal Service issued a 1-cent stamp bearing the portrait of Booker T. Washington. Washington, a former slave turned educator and leader, was recognized for his contributions to African American advancement. The stamp design sparked debate but marked a milestone in federal representation. It celebrated Washington’s legacy at Tuskegee Institute and his philosophy of self-improvement. This issuance paved the way for future commemorations of Black Americans on national stamps.
1940
Booker T. Washington
African American
United States postage stamp
1965day.year
Representatives of the National Congress of American Indians testify before members of the US Senate in Washington, D.C., against the termination of the Colville tribe.
In 1965, the National Congress of American Indians testified before the U.S. Senate to oppose the proposed termination of the Colville tribe.
In 1965, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) took a historic step by delivering testimony to the U.S. Senate.
Their representatives traveled to Washington, D.C. to voice strong opposition to the federal government’s plan to terminate the Colville tribe in Washington state.
They argued that termination would strip tribal members of their legal protections, land rights, and federal support.
Their testimony highlighted the broader struggle of Native American nations to maintain sovereignty and cultural identity.
This powerful appeal is seen as a landmark moment in the modern Native American rights movement.
It helped lay the groundwork for later legislation protecting tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
1965
National Congress of American Indians
Washington, D.C.
Colville
2009day.year
Mass protests begin across Moldova under the belief that results from the parliamentary election are fraudulent.
Mass protests erupted across Moldova on April 7, 2009 amid allegations of election fraud.
Thousands of Moldovans took to the streets on April 7, 2009 to protest parliamentary election results they believed were rigged. Demonstrators gathered in Chișinău, calling for the resignation of the ruling party and fresh elections. Dubbed the ‘Twitter Revolution’, the movement leveraged social media to organize and share information. Clashes with security forces highlighted the tense political climate in the post-Soviet republic. International observers monitored the unrest, prompting calls for electoral transparency and reform. The protests forced a repeat vote and reshaped Moldova’s political landscape, illustrating the power of grassroots mobilization.
Mass protests
Moldova
parliamentary election