Human Saga

On April 18

On April 18, the Human Saga records one pivotal event: Bandung Asian–African Conference (1955).

On this day

18–24 April 1955Bandung Asian–African ConferencePolitics & governance

The Asian–African Conference held at Bandung, Indonesia, from 18 to 24 April 1955 brought together delegates from twenty-nine newly independent and emerging states of Asia and Africa, representing more than half of the world's population.

Also this week in history (Apr 15 – Apr 21)

21 April 900 CELaguna Copperplate InscriptionCulture, arts & philosophy

Dated to Saka year 822, corresponding to 21 April 900 CE, the Laguna Copperplate Inscription is the earliest known calendar-dated written document found in the Philippines.

On 21 April 1526 Babur, a Timurid prince from Central Asia, defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodi of Delhi at Panipat in northern India.

April 21 - May 2, 1863 (Declaration of Ridvan)Founding of the Baha'i FaithReligion & ideology

The Baha'i Faith emerged as a distinct world religion in 1863 when Baha'u'llah (Mirza Husayn-Ali Nuri, 1817-1892) declared in the Garden of Ridvan near Baghdad that he was the messianic 'He whom God shall make manifest' foretold by the Bab.

15 April 1874First Impressionist Exhibition opens in ParisCulture, arts & philosophy

On 15 April 1874 a group of independent artists opened their first exhibition in the former studio of the photographer Nadar on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris, bypassing the official Salon.

1894–1895 (Treaty of Shimonoseki, 17 April 1895)First Sino-Japanese War and the Treaty of ShimonosekiMilitary & conflict

The First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) was fought between Qing China and the Empire of Japan, primarily for influence over Korea, long a Chinese tributary.

15 April – 4 June 1989Tiananmen Square protests and crackdownPolitics & governance

Beginning on 15 April 1989, sparked by the death of reformist Communist Party leader Hu Yaobang, students and citizens gathered in Beijing's Tiananmen Square to demand political reform, press freedom and an end to corruption.

21 April 2025Death of Pope Francis and election of Pope Leo XIVCulture, arts & philosophy

The papal transition of 2025 saw the death of Pope Francis and the election of the first US-born pope.

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