April 6 – First modern Summer Olympics held in Athens
On April 6, 1896, the first modern Summer Olympic Games opened in Athens, Greece. American athlete and Harvard student James Connolly became the first modern Olympic champion when he won the triple jump, placed third in the long jump and second in the high jump.
April 7 – Robert Garrett wins at the Athens Olympics
On this day in 1896, Robert Garret won the throwing double at the Summer Olympics. Garrett won the competition, defeating champion thrower Panagiotis Paraskevopoulos, setting a new world record in the process.
April 8 – Race car driver Bob Burman killed in car crash
On April 8, 1916, race car driver Bob Burman crashed in a road race in Corona, CA. The crash also killed three spectators and seriously wounded five others.
April 9 – Bob Ferguson wins 3 straight titles at the Men’s British Open
On this day in 1880, Scotsman Bob Ferguson went to the British Open and won his first of three straight titles. Ferguson beat his opponent Peter Paxton by five strokes.
April 10 – Mungo Park wins his first title at the Men’s British Open
On April 10, 1874, Mungo Park won big for his first title at the British Open by a total of two strokes ahead of his opponent, Tom Morris Jr.
April 11 – Jack Slack retains his Champion of England Boxing title
On April 11, 1750, Jack Slack took the champion title for his boxing match. Slack beat Frenchman Jean Petit in a steady seven rounds in Harlston, England. This was recognized as the first international prize fight.
April 12 – Joe McCarthy is named the New York Yankees manager
April 12, 1931, Joe McCarthy took the title as the New York Yankees manager. According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, “For a man who never played in the major leagues, Joe McCarthy seemed to know more than anyone about how to win in the big leagues.”
