April 4
1994
KLM Cityhopper Flight 433
A tragic accident involving KLM Cityhopper Flight 433 occurred at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on April 4, 1994, resulting in three fatalities and a critical examination of airline safety protocols. Read more
1977
Southern Airways Flight 242 Crash
On April 4, 1977, Southern Airways Flight 242 encountered a severe thunderstorm and crashed near New Hope, Georgia, resulting in 72 fatalities and significant changes in airline safety protocols. Read more
1975
1975 Tân Sơn Nhứt C-5 Accident - Operation Babylift
On April 4, 1975, an overloaded U.S. Air Force C-5A Galaxy, evacuating Vietnamese orphans and caregivers during Operation Babylift, crashed near Saigon after catastrophic cargo door failure, killing 138 of the 328 aboard—one of the deadliest air disasters of the Vietnam War's chaotic end. Read more
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1968
Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. His death shocked the nation, ignited unrest in over 100 cities, and remains a pivotal moment in American history with enduring questions about justice and legacy.
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1949
St. Anthony’s Hospital Fire
On April 4, 1949, a catastrophic nighttime fire swept through St. Anthony’s Hospital in Effingham, Illinois. Seventy-four people died—including patients, nuns, and a priest—making it one of the deadliest hospital fires in U.S. history. The disaster exposed the hazards of outdated medical buildings and led to monumental changes in fire safety codes for healthcare facilities nationwide.
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