1898 - Refusing U.S. demands to relinquish Cuba, Spain declared war on the United States and it was on to San Juan Hill for Teddy and the Rough Riders.

1915 - The Ottoman Turkish Empire began mass deportations of Armenians.

1916 - The Irish Republican Brotherhood, Sinn Fein, of Irish nationalists led by Patrick Pearse, launched the 'Easter Rebellion' against British rule.

1953 - Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.

1961 - President John F. Kennedy accepted "sole responsibility" for the failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs.

1980 - Failing to recognize the superstitious aspect of the day (April 24) 19 years prior [see above], 8 U.S. military died in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the 52 American hostages held in Tehran.

1990 - The Discovery space shuttle carried the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope beyond the Earth's visually impairing atmosphere.