Spanish-American War - Battle of Manila Bay May 1, 1898 U.S. Commodore George Dewey virtually destroys the Spanish fleet while American losses were minimal. The battle took place in Manila Bay in the Philippines, and was the first major engagement of the Spanish-American War and was one of the most decisive naval battl...

Hitler Commits Suicide April 30, 1945 56-year-old German Chancellor Adolf Hitler and his newly-wed bride Eva Braun reportedly commit suicide by taking cyanide capsules. Their bodies were taken to the garden outside, doused in petrol, and set on fire. Some accounts say Hitler shot himself as he bit down the cyanide caps...

Rodney King Riots April 29, 1992 The four white police officers accused of beating Rodney King are acquitted. Los Angeles street riots followed - the worst U.S. riots in 75 years. 51 people were killed, 2,383 were injured, and more than 9,000 were arrested.

Maryland April 28, 1788 Maryland becomes the 7th U.S. state. In 1632, Charles I of England granted Lord Baltimore a colonial charter, naming the colony after Charles' wife, Henrietta Maria.

Worst Maritime Disaster in U.S. History April 27, 1865 The boilers explode on the steamboat Sultana near Memphis, killing 1,547 people. The Sultana was designed for a max capacity of 376 passengers, but was carrying 2,155 when three of her four boilers exploded. She burned to the water line and sank. The Sultana was ca...