Human Saga

On April 3

On April 3, the Human Saga records one pivotal event: Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program) (1948).

On this day

3 April 1948 (program 1948–1952)Marshall Plan (European Recovery Program)Economy & trade

The Marshall Plan, formally the European Recovery Program, was the principal U.S. initiative to rebuild Western Europe after World War II. Proposed by Secretary of State George C.

Also this week in history (Mar 31 – Apr 6)

1853–1854 (Treaty of Kanagawa, 31 March 1854)Commodore Perry forces the opening of JapanPolitics & governance

In July 1853 a United States naval squadron under Commodore Matthew C. Perry steamed into Edo (Tokyo) Bay, its 'black ships' a deliberate display of steam-powered force intended to end Japan's two centuries of self-imposed seclusion under…

5 April 1722Jacob Roggeveen reaches Rapa Nui (Easter Island)Exploration & colonisation

On Easter Sunday, 5 April 1722, the Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen became the first European to sight and land on Rapa Nui, which he named Paasch-Eyland (Easter Island) for the day of its discovery.

4 April 1949Founding of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty)Military & conflict

On 4 April 1949 twelve nations signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

On 2 April 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14257 imposing a 10 percent baseline tariff on nearly all US imports plus steep additional 'reciprocal' rates on dozens of trading partners, a measure he branded 'Liberation…

6 April 2014 (Nigeria GDP rebasing)Nigeria becomes Africa's largest economyEconomy & trade

On 6 April 2014 Nigeria announced the results of a long-overdue 'rebasing' of its gross domestic product, updating the base year for its national accounts from 1990 for the first time in decades.

Get today's card / Share →