04/1/1924
The Royal Canadian Air Force officially comes into existence. Its first director is Wing Commander W.G. Barker, a Victoria Cross recipient.
04/2/2003
Canadian navy ships Iroquois (2nd) and Fredericton (2nd) arrive in the Arabian Gulf. They join HMCS Regina as part of a U.S.-led task force involved in maritime surveillance.
04/2-9/1917
The intensive phase begins for the preliminary bombardment for the assault on Vimy Ridge in France. For seven days German positions are subject to more than a million artillery rounds. The bombardment not only smashes German defences, but prevents food, water and supplies from reaching the front.
04/3/1951
In Korea, divisions of the Eight Army cross the 38th Parallel.
04/3/1974
A severe tornado hits Windsor, Ont., killing nine people and injuring several others.
04/4/1942
While flying a PBY-5 flying boat, Squadron Leader L.J. Birchall and his crew spot and report a Japanese naval force heading toward the island of Ceylon. Birchall’s plane is shot down and he and the other surviving crew are taken prisoner, but their warning allows the island’s defenders to prepare for the Japanese attempt to take the island. For his actions, Birchall earns the name Saviour of Ceylon and is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
04/4/1949
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is established. Canada is among the 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington D.C.
04/5/1955
British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill resigns.
04/5/1995
While on a tour of Mideast ports to demonstrate Canadian warship technology, the Canadian frigate HMCS Fredericton answers a distress call from a yacht under pirate attack. The yacht is saved.
04/6/1941
Yugoslavia is invaded by German forces.
04/6/1945
With the Royal Canadian Navy now the third largest navy in the world, the cruiser HMCS Uganda arrives in the Pacific to join the war against Japan.
04/7/1868
Thomas D’arcy McGee, a father of Confederation, is assassinated in Ottawa.
04/7/1994
Widespread slaughter of the Rwandan population begins. The commander of the United Nations peacekeepers, Canadian General Roméo Dallaire, finds himself powerless to stop the unfolding massacre.
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