The Kishinev pogrom in Kishinev (Bessarabia) begins, forcing tens of thousands of Jews to later seek refuge in Palestine and the Western world.

The Kishinev pogrom was a violent attack against the Jewish community in the city of Kishinev (now Chi?in?u, Moldova) in April 1903. The attack was carried out by members of the local population, including peasants and Cossacks, and was reportedly incited by anti-Semitic propaganda disseminated by the Russian Imperial authorities.

During the two-day pogrom, which began on April 19, 1903, Jewish homes and businesses were looted and destroyed, and Jewish men, women, and children were beaten, raped, and murdered. The exact number of casualties is unknown, but it is estimated that at least 49 Jews were killed and over 500 were injured.

The Kishinev pogrom sparked outrage and protests in Jewish communities around the world, and it became a significant event in the history of the Jewish diaspora. The pogrom also played a role in the rise of Zionism as a political movement, as many Jews saw it as evidence of the need for a Jewish homeland where Jews could live in safety and security.