World War I: Italy secretly signs the Treaty of London pledging to join the Allied Powers.

The Treaty of London, officially signed on April 26, 1915, was a secret pact between Italy and the Triple Entente—comprising Britain, France, and Russia. The treaty was a significant geopolitical shift during World War I, as it marked Italy’s decision to leave the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary and join the Allied Powers.

Italy’s entry into the war on the side of the Allies was motivated by promises of territorial gains at the expense of Austria-Hungary. The territories discussed included Trentino, South Tyrol, and parts of the Dalmatian coast, which had significant Italian-speaking populations. The treaty also promised Italy a share of the spoils should the Ottoman Empire be partitioned.

The agreement was brokered in secret primarily because Italy was initially part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but felt that its allies had often disregarded its interests. Moreover, Italy harbored longstanding territorial claims against Austria-Hungary, which the Allies were willing to acknowledge in exchange for military support against the Central Powers.

The signing of the Treaty of London had several repercussions. It helped prolong the war by opening a new front in the Alps, where fierce fighting took place, particularly along the Isonzo River. Additionally, the secret nature of the treaty created post-war complications at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, where Italy felt betrayed when some promised territories were not granted, leading to significant political unrest and disillusionment within Italy. This dissatisfaction contributed to the unstable political climate that eventually facilitated the rise of Fascism under Benito Mussolini.

The Chernobyl disaster occurs in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.

The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on April 26, 1986, at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukrainian SSR, which was then part of the Soviet Union. The accident occurred during a late-night safety test of one of the plant’s reactors, when a sudden power surge caused a massive explosion and fire that released a huge amount of radioactive material into the air.

The explosion and resulting fire killed two plant workers on the night of the accident, and another 29 people died from acute radiation sickness in the following weeks. The disaster also contaminated large areas of land and water with radioactive fallout, forcing the evacuation of over 100,000 people and causing long-term health effects for many more.

The Chernobyl disaster is considered to be the worst nuclear accident in history, both in terms of the immediate human impact and the long-term environmental and health consequences. It led to significant changes in nuclear safety practices and regulations around the world

Forced out by the April Revolution, President of South Korea Syngman Rhee resigns after 12 years of dictatorial rule.

Atlético Madrid Association football club is founded

American comedian Bill Cosby is found guilty of sexual assault.

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Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge to form Tanzania.

On 26 April 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form a new republic, the name ’Tanzania’ being adopted on 29 October 1964. Like the name of the country, the new flag adopted was a merger of that of its constituent parts. The lower green stripe of the Tanganyika flag took the blue of the Zanzibar flag, and the stripes were re-arranged diagonally to give them equal status.
Stuart Notholt, 29 Jun 1996

Tanganyika and Zanzibar merge to form Tanzania.

The Articles of Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar of 1964 is the main foundation of the Constitutions of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government of 1984. The Articles of the Union were signed on April 22, 1964 by the Founders of the Union, Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume and agreed in 11 matters which later increased to over 22 and are the source of tension and dispute between Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.see Uamsho movement The original Articles of Union which contain both Signatures from Nyerere and Karume are yet to be found.

The United Republic of Tanzania was formed on 26 April 1964 as a result of the Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. Julius Kambarage Nyerere became the first President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Sheikh Abeid Karume became the First Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania and the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council. The late Rashidi Mfaume Kawawa became the second Vice President of Tanzania and leader of Government business in the National Assembly.

Like other African countries, the people of Tanganyika opposed and fought against colonial invaders from the very beginning. This included the formation of African Associations in both Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The African Association was established in Tanganyika in 1929. This association was transformed into the Tanganyika African Association in 1948.

In 1953 under the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, TAA was recognised as a political party and was transformed into the Tanganyika African National Union in 1954.

On Zanzibar’s part, the various football clubs established in the early 1930s provided the basis for the coming together of members of the African community. By 1934,members of the African community united in a formal organisation known as the African Association. The formation of the Zanzibar Nationalist Party in 1955 forced leaders of the African Association and the Shirazi Association to unite. In 1957, the Shirazi Association and African Association united to form the Afro-Shirazi Party under the leadership of Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume.

It is believed that the agreement for the unification of the two states was signed by the first President of Tanganyika, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, and the first Zanzibar President, the late Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume, on 22 April 1964, in Zanzibar. Although the Original Articles of the union does not exist, It was agreed that,to become valid The Articles of the Union must be ratified by both Tanganyika’s Parliament and Zanzibar revolutionary council,the Articles was ratified by Tanganyika’s Parliament on 26 April 1964 but was not ratified by the Zanzibar Revolutionary Council as per agreement. On 27 April 1964, the leaders of the two countries exchanged legal documents of the Union at the Karimjee Hall in Dar es Salaam. The Articles of the Union declared the formation of the United Republic in Section 4.

The secret police force of Nazi Germany, The Gestapo, is established.

The Easter Riots start in Uppsala, Sweden.