April 6: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

The first known animal contracted Covid-19.

A four-year-old Malayan tiger called Nadia resides at the Bronx Zoo, New York, US. After the discovery, it was also found the virus had spread to six other tigers and lions.

Texas movie fans were surprised with a special premiere viewing of that year’s Star Trek movie.

Ticket holders were expecting to see a 10-minute preview of the new reboot along with a showing of the classic Star Trek III: The Wrath of Khan but instead were treated with the full version of the film and personal appearances by actor Leonard Nimoy.

The Bosnian War began after a series of violent conflicts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Europe surrendered to “Waterloo” as ABBA smashed the 19th Eurovision Contest in Brighton, England.

NASA launched the Pioneer 11 space probe to study the asteroid belt & the environment around Jupiter and Saturn.

The Pioneer 11 became the first probe to encounter Saturn and the second to fly through the asteroid belt.

The first Tony Awards were handed out at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Officially called the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, the Tony Awards were named in honor of the producer and co-founder of the American Theater Wing. They are awarded by the American Theater Wing annually to those that show excellence in Broadway theater. The first awards given out included a scroll, a lighter, and various pieces of jewelry or accessories.

The US declared war against Germany and its Central Powers Alliance in World War I.

Over the course of the war, the US sent over 2 million troops.

Americans reached the North Pole.

On this day, Robert Peary and his team claimed to have reached the North Pole within 3 miles (5 km).

The Humorous Phases of Funny Faces by James Stuart Blackton became the world’s first animation.

The first modern international Olympic Games began in Athens, Greece.

This was the first time the Olympic games were held since they were banned 1,500 years ago by Roman Emperor Theodosius I. The event was hugely popular, with 241 athletes from 14 nations participating across 43 sporting events.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was founded in LaFayette, New York, by Joseph Smith.

England, Flanders, and Northern France experienced one of the most severe earthquakes in recorded history.

The Declaration of Arbroath was signed in Scotland to reaffirm the country’s independence.

The King of England, Richard I, died from gangrene in his shoulder after being hit by a crossbow arrow.