April 20
2010
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig suffered a catastrophic blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, leading to one of the largest marine oil spills in history. The spill resulted in the release of millions of barrels of oil, causing extensive environmental and economic damage. Read more
1914
The Ludlow Massacre
The Ludlow Massacre, a violent confrontation between striking coal miners and the Colorado National Guard, marked a pivotal moment in American labor history, highlighting the desperate struggles for workers' rights in the early 20th century. Read more
Stay in the Loop!
Become a Calamity Insider and get exclusive Calamity Calendar updates delivered straight to your inbox.
Thanks! You're now subscribed.
Explore more events in April
Apr 2
Garissa University College Attack
On April 2, 2015, heavily armed al-Shabaab militants stormed Kenya’s Garissa University College at dawn, killing 148 people—mostly students—in one of the deadliest terror attacks in the country’s history. The militants targeted Christian students, sparking a 15-hour siege and prompting sweeping changes to Kenya’s security and campus infrastructure.
Read more
Apr 26
Chernobyl Disaster
The catastrophic explosion at Chernobyl's Reactor No. 4 on April 26, 1986, remains one of the most devastating nuclear accidents in history, marked by human error, design flaws, and lasting global repercussions.
Read more
Apr 22
Pan Am Flight 812 Crash
On April 22, 1974, Pan Am Flight 812, a Boeing 707 en route from Hong Kong to Sydney via Bali, tragically crashed into a mountain near Denpasar, Indonesia, claiming 117 lives.
Read more