April 07

On April 7, 1943, the National Football League officially required all players to wear helmets during games. This rule followed growing concerns over head injuries and concussions in the early years of professional football. Prior to this mandate, helmet use was optional and many players still risked playing without adequate protection. The new requirement led to rapid improvements in helmet design and materials. Over the following decades, helmet technology evolved further with face masks and improved padding. This milestone marked the beginning of modern efforts to enhance player safety in American football.

In 1968, two-time Formula One World Champion Jim Clark was competing in a Formula Two race at the Hockenheimring in Germany. Early in the race, Clark’s Lotus veered off track and struck a tree, killing him instantly. His sudden death shocked the motorsport world and sparked safety reforms in racing. Celebrated for his smooth driving style and remarkable consistency, Clark had dominated F1 in the early 1960s. He won two world titles and 25 Grands Prix before his untimely passing at age 32. Clark’s legacy endures as one of the greatest drivers in racing history.