What Happened on April 15

Maritime News

1912 — Titanic Found 12,500 Feet Down

Wreck of the 1912 liner, found in 1985, rests in two pieces about 2,000 feet apart at a depth of 12,500 feet, with more than 1,500 lost.

NEWFOUNDLAND, April 15 — The silent wreck of the White Star liner Titanic, which carried more than 1,500 souls to a watery grave when she struck an iceberg southeast of this island in 1912, has at last been found, resting in two main pieces about 2,000 feet apart on the floor of the Atlantic.

The discovery, announced by a joint French-American expedition headed by Jean-Louis Michel and Robert Ballard, came in 1985, after years of search. The great ship lies at a depth of about 12,500 feet, some 325 nautical miles south-southeast of Newfoundland, her bow still recognisable though her stern is heavily damaged.

Scattered about the wreck is a vast debris field, containing hundreds of thousands of items spilled from the ship as she plunged downward. The tragedy of that April night in 1912, when the unsinkable liner went down on her maiden voyage, has never ceased to haunt the public mind.

More than 1,500 passengers and crew perished in the icy waters, a toll that stirred reform of maritime safety laws. The discovery of the wreck has renewed interest in the ship, and several expeditions have since visited the site.

But the ocean has not yielded her prize without further sorrow. In June 2023, the submersible Titan, which had descended toward the wreck, imploded near the site, killing all five persons aboard. The sea, it seems, still keeps her secrets close.

• The wreck lies at a depth of about 12,500 feet, 325 nautical miles south-southeast off Newfoundland.
• The wreck was located in 1985 by a joint French–American expedition led by Jean-Louis Michel and Robert Ballard.
• The submersible Titan imploded near the wreck in June 2023, killing all five aboard.
• The wreck lies in two main pieces about 2,000 feet apart, with the bow still recognisable and the stern heavily damaged.
• The debris field around the wreck contains hundreds of thousands of items spilled from the ship as she sank.

Home News

1989 — Hillsborough: 97 Dead in Crush

Worst disaster in British sporting history — police open gate, causing overcrowding — fans falsely blamed in Sun story

LIVERPOOL, April 15 — The Hillsborough disaster, which claimed 97 lives in a human crush at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in Sheffield, stands as the worst in British sporting history, and its consequences still reverberate.

Police match commander David Duckenfield ordered exit gate C opened shortly before kick-off, causing overcrowding that led to the deaths. Ninety-four people died on the day; three more died later, including two in 1989 from brain damage.

The Sun newspaper published a front-page story on 19 April 1989 headlined 'The Truth' with false allegations against Liverpool fans, prompting a boycott that cut its Merseyside sales from 55,000 to 12,000 per day by 1989.

• Police match commander David Duckenfield ordered exit gate C opened shortly before kick-off, causing overcrowding.
• Ninety-four people died on the day; three more died later, including two in 1993 and 2021 from brain damage.
• The Sun published a front-page story on 19 April 1989 headlined 'The Truth' with false allegations against Liverpool fans.
• The Sun's sales in Merseyside dropped from 55,000 to 12,000 per day by 2019 due to a boycott.
• The match was replayed at Old Trafford in Manchester on 7 May 1989; Liverpool won and later won the FA Cup.

National Affairs

1927 — Mississippi Levees Fail in 145 Places

Worst flood in U.S. history inundates 27,000 square miles — water up to 30 feet deep — Corps' strategy proved wrong

NEW ORLEANS, April 15 — In the spring of 1927, torrential rains caused the Mississippi River to break out of its levee system in at least 145 places, resulting in the worst flooding in the history of the United States.

The river broke out of its banks in 145 places during the Great Mississippi Flood, inundating 27,000 square miles (70,000 km²) to a depth of up to 30 feet (9.1 m). The flood proved the Corps of Engineers' levee strategy so wrong that communities began creating their own levee breaks.

The waters have now receded, but the devastation left behind is vast.

• In the spring of 1927, the Mississippi River broke out of its banks in 145 places during the Great Mississippi Flood.
• The flood inundated 27,000 square miles (70,000 km²) to a depth of up to 30 feet (9.1 m).
• The 1927 flood proved the Corps of Engineers' levee strategy so wrong that communities began creating their own levee breaks.

Sporting

1947 — Robinson Makes Debut at First Base

Dodgers' new infielder plays before 26,623 fans, more than 14,000 of them colored — breaking baseball's color line

BROOKLYN, April 15 — Jackie Robinson, the first Negro to break the color line in Major League Baseball, took the field at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers this afternoon before a crowd of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 of whom were colored.

Robinson, who played his first game in the majors, was greeted with a mixture of cheers and curiosity as he took his position. His presence on the diamond heralds the end of racial segregation in professional baseball, a move that has been awaited with both hope and trepidation.

The Dodgers' signing of Robinson, a former UCLA athlete and Army veteran, has been hailed as a step forward for the game. His debut at Ebbets Field is the culmination of years of pressure from civil rights groups and the quiet determination of Brooklyn's management.

Robinson, who played for the Montreal Royals last season, is expected to be a formidable addition to the Dodgers' lineup. He is a speedy base runner and a powerful hitter, and his defensive play at first base has drawn praise from his new teammates.

The crowd, which included many Negro fans who had traveled from all over the city to witness the historic occasion, gave Robinson a warm ovation when he came to bat. He responded by hitting a single and scoring a run, helping the Dodgers to a victory over the Boston Braves.

Robinson's debut is the first step in what many hope will be a long and successful career in the majors.

• Robinson started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947.
• Robinson's debut at Ebbets Field was before a crowd of 26,623 spectators, more than 14,000 of whom were black.
• Robinson won the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award in 1947.
• The Dodgers' signing of Robinson heralded the end of racial segregation in professional baseball.
• Robinson was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

Paris Desk

2019 — Paris Cathedral Fire Destroys Spire and Roof

Timber spire toppled — flames rage through Notre-Dame — centuries of art at risk

PARIS, April 15 — The timber spire of Notre-Dame de Paris collapsed tonight as a catastrophic fire engulfed the cathedral's roof, severely damaging the 850-year-old landmark. Flames, visible across the Seine, devoured the medieval oak frame that supported the spire, which crashed through the vaulted ceiling. Firefighters battled the blaze into the night, racing to save the twin towers and irreplaceable relics. The cathedral, a centerpiece of Parisian heritage and a symbol of France, drew crowds of onlookers who watched in horror as smoke billowed over the city. Officials reported no immediate casualties, but the extent of damage to artworks and stained glass remained unknown.

• The fire at Notre-Dame de Paris occurred on April 15, 2019.
• The fire severely damaged the cathedral, a major Parisian landmark.

Business Desk

1955 — Kroc Opens Ninth McDonald's in Des Plaines

Ray Kroc, 52, opens the ninth McDonald's in Des Plaines on April 15.

DES PLAINES, Ill., April 15 — Ray Kroc, the 52-year-old milkshake machine salesman, opened his first McDonald's franchise here today, the ninth unit in the chain and the cornerstone of a planned nationwide operation. Kroc, who will serve as president of the company, has sold single-store franchises to keep tight control.

• Ray Kroc opened the ninth McDonald's franchise on April 15, 1955.
• Kroc served as president of McDonald's from 1955 to 1968.
• Kroc purchased the McDonald's brand from the McDonald brothers in 1961 for $2.7 million.
• Kroc refused to increase the price of fries from ten cents to fifteen cents for a Disneyland location.
• Kroc sold only single-store franchises to retain control over franchisees.

Sports Desk

1958 — Dodgers, Giants Open West Coast Baseball Era

Dodgers and Giants play first major league game in West at Seals Stadium on April 15.

SAN FRANCISCO, April 15 — Under a bright sky at Seals Stadium, the Dodgers and Giants took the field, making history as the first major league game on the West Coast. The teams, moved west by owner Walter O'Malley, drew a lively crowd.

• On April 15, 1958, the Dodgers and Giants played the first MLB game on the West Coast at Seals Stadium in San Francisco.
• The Dodgers set a major league single-game attendance record in their first home appearance with 78,672 fans.
• In their first year after moving West, the Dodgers made $500,000 more profit than any other MLB team.

Aviation Desk

1952 — B-52 Bomber Makes First Flight, USAF Expands Order

YB-52 prototype's successful first flight leads to order of 282 bombers.

SEATTLE, April 15 — The Air Force's long-range B-52 bomber proved its worth today, as the YB-52 prototype's successful first flight prompted an increased order of 282 bombers. Pilots Tex Johnston and Lt. Col. Guy M. Townsend flew the YB-52 for 2 hours 21 minutes from Boeing Field to Larson Air Force Base.

• The YB-52, modified from the XB-52 with more operational equipment, first flew on 15 April 1952.
• The maiden flight lasted 2 hours and 21 minutes, from Boeing Field near Seattle to Larson Air Force Base.
• Boeing test pilot 'Tex' Johnston and USAF Lieutenant Colonel Guy M. Townsend piloted the YB-52 on its first flight.
• After the successful first flight, the USAF increased its order to 282 B-52 bombers.

China Desk

1989 — Hu Yaobang's Death Stirs Peking Students

A gentle reformer's death on April 15 stirs dissent in Peking.

PEKING, April 15 — A gentle reformer's death has unloosed a current of dissent that may long trouble the ruling gerontocracy. Flowers and wreaths piled at the monument as students voiced anger over official corruption. Police watched quietly nearby.

• Hu Yaobang died at 7:53 a.m. on April 15, 1989, at the age of 73 after a heart attack.
• Big-character posters appeared on Beijing university campuses, using Hu's mourning to criticize the 'gerontocracy' that forced him to step down.
• A small-scale spontaneous rally near the Monument to the People's Heroes in Tiananmen Square mourned Hu on April 15.
• Student mourners were motivated by sympathy for Hu, respect for his open image, and dissatisfaction with corruption under reform and opening up.
• Hu's death catalyzed the 1989 Tiananmen Square student protests and subsequent massacre.

Poetic Intelligence

1802 — Mr. Wordsworth's Golden Vision at Ullswater

Wordsworth and sister Dorothy witness a long belt of daffodils by Ullswater.

WESTMORELAND, April 15 — William Wordsworth, walking with his sister Dorothy near the shores of Ullswater, came upon a long belt of daffodils, a sight that has much moved the poet. The poet is said to have fixed the scene in memory for future verses. His companions report his singular delight.

• English poet William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy encountered a "long belt" of daffodils near Ullswater, inspiring him to pen his best-known work, "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".

Letters & Learning

1755 — Johnson's Dictionary Issued in Two Folio Volumes

A single man's seven years of toil issued to the public on the 4th of April

LONDON, April 15 — Two vast folio volumes, the fruit of a single man's seven years of toil, were offered to the public on the 4th of this month. The contract with the booksellers, signed in June 1746, promised Johnson 1,500 guineas for the work. He labored alone at 17 Gough Square, with only clerical aid for copying quotations.

• Johnson was contracted by London booksellers in June 1746 to write a dictionary for 1,500 guineas (£1,575).
• Johnson took seven years to complete the dictionary, though he had claimed he could finish it in three.
• Johnson worked single-handedly on the dictionary, with only clerical assistance to copy illustrative quotations.
• The dictionary was prepared at 17 Gough Square, London, between 1746 and 1755.
• The first folio edition was published in two large volumes on 4 April 1755.

Aviation Desk

2002 — Air China Jet Crashes in South Korea; 129 Dead

Air China 767 crashes near Busan, killing 129 of 166 aboard after crew error

BUSAN, South Korea, April 15 — Air China Flight 129 crashed into Mount Dotdae while approaching Gimhae International Airport, killing 129 of the 166 people aboard. The Boeing 767 was lost because the crew, trained only for circling approaches at Beijing Capital Airport, inadvertently flew below the minimum safe altitude.

• The Boeing 767 crashed into Mount Dotdae near Gimhae Airport, killing 129 of the 166 people on board.
• The accident was due to pilot error: the crew inadvertently flew below the minimum safe altitude.
• Pilots had been trained for circling approaches only at Beijing Capital Airport, never at Gimhae's runway 18R.
• Tower controller Park Junyong was not licensed for air traffic control and issued incorrect orders due to inexperience.
• First Officer Gao Lijie, 29, had only 1,215 of his 5,295 flying hours on the Boeing 767 and had flown to Busan twice.