April a big month in U.S. history

The month of April is notable for events important in the history of our country, and this is only a partial list of those.

April 12, 1770: The Townshend Act is repealed by Parliament, removing taxes on goods such as glass and paper, but allowing the tax on tea to stand. This further angered the colonists and led to the Boston Tea Party.

April 18-19, 1775: British troops march toward Lexington to capture Samuel Adams and John Hancock as well as militia stores of ammunition and powder. The following day the troops confront the colonial militia on Lexington green. As the militia was dispersing, a shot was fired and the British troops opened fire and killed eight of the colonial militia. The troops then marched to Concord with the intent of seizing the bridge north of town. Militia had begun arriving from towns in the area, and there was an engagement at the bridge. The militia continued attacking as the British troops returned to Boston.

April 30, 1803: The U.S. doubles in land area as the Louisiana Purchase is completed under President Thomas Jefferson.

April 12, 1862: Confederate forces attack Fort Sumter, South Carolina, with a 34-hour bombardment. The American Civil War begins.

April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders the Confederate Army of Virginia to General Ulysses Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. Remaining Confederate forces would surrender by May 26.

April 14, 1865: President Abraham Lincoln is shot in the head by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theater in Washington.

April 6, 1917: The U.S. Congress declares war on Germany in support of our European allies.

April 17, 1917: The first U.S. troops arrive in France to join the fight against the Germans in World War I. One million Americans would serve in this war.

April 1, 1948: The Soviets blockade Berlin, and the allies respond with the Berlin Airlift to keep the city functioning for over one year. The blockade could have easily led to war.

Jack Dragoni attended Boston College and served in the U.S. Army in Berlin and Vietnam. He resides in Chaffee, Missouri.