April 25

In April 1849, Governor General Lord Elgin sanctioned compensation for damage incurred during the Lower Canada Rebellion. English-speaking residents of Montreal saw the bill as rewarding former rebels and undermining British authority. Outraged crowds gathered, leading to looting and arson against anglophone properties and public buildings. The violent outbreak highlighted deep cultural and political divisions within the Province of Canada. The Montreal Riots underscored tensions between French and English communities as Canada moved toward greater self-government.

Exactly one year after the initial landings, services and memorials were conducted in Australia, New Zealand, and military cemeteries overseas. The day provided a moment of reflection for nations mourning their fallen as World War I continued. Ceremonies featured two-minute silences, wreath-laying, and the recitation of the Last Post. This inaugural commemoration established traditions that endure in both countries. ANZAC Day later expanded to honor all Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women. It remains one of the most important national days of remembrance in both nations and fosters a shared sense of history and identity between veterans and civilians.

The UNCF began with scholarships for talented African American students denied access to many higher education institutions. It united several Black colleges and universities under a common fundraising effort and raised private donations to supplement limited public funding. Over the decades, UNCF has awarded thousands of scholarships, enabling countless graduates to pursue careers. Its motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste," highlights the value of education and opportunity. UNCF fundraising campaigns have become major philanthropic events in the U.S. Today, the fund remains a vital advocate for educational equity and college affordability.

On April 25, 2004, more than one million people converged on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the March for Women's Lives, one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history. Organized by reproductive rights groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood, the march protested the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act and broader healthcare restrictions. Participants carried signs, chanted slogans, and heard speeches from activists, elected officials, and celebrities championing gender equality. The event energized grassroots organizing ahead of the 2004 U.S. elections by highlighting the national divide over abortion rights. Beyond abortion, the march addressed issues such as sex education, healthcare access, and violence against women, underscoring a holistic vision for women's lives. Its scale and visibility inspired global movements for reproductive justice.

In April 2014, in an effort to reduce costs, Flint, Michigan officials redirected the city’s water supply from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River. Almost immediately, residents began reporting discolored, foul-smelling water and alarming health complaints. The corrosive river water leached lead from aging pipes, exposing thousands to toxic levels of the heavy metal. Beyond lead, the untreated water fostered dangerous bacterial growth that sickened many citizens. Subsequent investigations revealed systemic failures at multiple levels of government. The crisis sparked widespread protests, lawsuits, and calls for infrastructure reform nationwide. It became a stark example of environmental injustice and galvanized a broader movement for safe drinking water rights in the United States.