Washington, United States. Several major events have been recorded on April 28 across different years, including political developments, attacks, and notable deaths. The events span multiple countries and decades.
Political transitions and wartime events
In 1936, King Faud I of Egypt died and was succeeded by his son, Farouk I.
In 1945, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was executed by partisans near Lake Como, one day after being caught.
Espionage case in the United States
In 1994, former CIA officer Aldrich Ames and his wife, Rosario, pleaded guilty to spying for Moscow. He was sentenced to life in prison and his wife to five years.
Mass shooting in Australia
In 1996, lone gunman Martin Bryant shot 35 people dead at the popular tourist spot Port Arthur in southern Australia.
First space tourist flight
In 2001, American Dennis Tito became the world’s first space tourist, blasting off on a $20-million trip to the International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket.
Deaths in Russia and the United States
In 2002, Alexander Lebed, governor of the Russian province of Krasnoyarsk, died in a helicopter crash. Lebed, a general who played a part in foiling the 1991 coup against Mikhail Gorbachev, also ran for president against Boris Yeltsin in 1996.
Also in 2002, Ruth Handler, the inventor of “Barbie,” died aged 85.
Southern Thailand mosque attack
In 2004, a mosque attack in southern Thailand involved police and troops shooting dead more than 100 gun and machete-wielding Muslim separatists.
Shooting in Rome
In 2013, two police officers were shot outside the Italian prime minister’s office in Rome as Enrico Letta’s new government was sworn in at the president’s palace.
Which of these April 28 events did you previously know about?
