April 14 in history — What Happened Today in History

NATO mistakenly bombs a convoy of ethnic Albanian refugees. Yugoslav officials say 75 people were killed.

A severe hailstorm strikes Sydney, Australia causing A$2.3 billion in insured damages, the most costly natural disaster in Australian history.

Pai Hsiao-yen, daughter of Taiwanese artiste Pai Bing-bing, is kidnapped on her way to school, preceding her murder.

In a friendly fire incident during Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, two U.S. Air Force aircraft mistakenly shoot-down two U.S. Army helicopters, killing 26 people.

The Republic of Georgia introduces the post of President following its declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.

The USS Samuel B. Roberts strikes a mine in the Persian Gulf during Operation Earnest Will.

In a United Nations ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland, the Soviet Union signs an agreement pledging to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.

The heaviest hailstones ever recorded, each weighing 1 kilogram (2.2 lb), fall on the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh, killing 92.

STS-1: The first operational Space Shuttle, Columbia, completes its first test flight.

The Progressive Alliance of Liberia stages a protest, without a permit, against an increase in rice prices proposed by the government, with clashes between protestors and the police resulting in over 70 deaths and over 500 injuries.

Tbilisi demonstrations: Thousands of Georgians demonstrate against Soviet attempts to change the constitutional status of the Georgian language.

Gnassingbé Eyadéma overthrows Nicolas Grunitzky and installs himself as the new President of Togo, a title he will hold for the next 38 years.

The Soviet satellite Sputnik 2 falls from orbit after a mission duration of 162 days. This was the first spacecraft to carry a living animal, a female dog named Laika, who likely lived only a few hours.

World War II: In what becomes known as the Razing of Friesoythe, the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division deliberately destroys the German town of Friesoythe on the orders of Major General Christopher Vokes.

World War II: German and Italian forces attack Tobruk, Libya.

World War II: Royal Marines land in Namsos, Norway, preceding a larger force which will arrive two days later.

The Black Sunday dust storm, considered one of the worst storms of the Dust Bowl, sweeps across the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles and neighboring areas.

The Second Spanish Republic is proclaimed and King Alfonso XIII goes into exile. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, Francesc Macià proclaims the Catalan Republic.

The inaugural Monaco Grand Prix takes place in the Principality of Monaco. William Grover-Williams wins driving a Bugatti Type 35.

The British passenger liner RMS Titanic hits an iceberg in the North Atlantic and begins to sink.

Muslims in the Ottoman Empire begin a massacre of Armenians in Adana.

Hauser Dam, a steel dam on the Missouri River in Montana, fails, sending a surge of water 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 m) high downstream.

The first meeting of the Azusa Street Revival, which will launch Pentecostalism as a worldwide movement, is held in Los Angeles.

The world's fair Exposition Universelle opens in Paris.

The 1895 Ljubljana earthquake, both the most and last destructive earthquake in the area, occurs.

The first ever commercial motion picture house opens in New York City, United States. It uses ten Kinetoscopes, devices for peep-show viewing of films.

The Pan-American Union is founded by the First International Conference of American States in Washington, D.C.

The Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight occurs in El Paso, Texas.

Michael Baze, American jockey (died 2011)

Erwin Hoffer, Austrian footballer

Wilson Kiprop, Kenyan runner

Matt Derbyshire, English footballer

Blake Costanzo, American football player

Charles Hamelin, Canadian speed skater

Harumafuji Kōhei, Mongolian sumo wrestler, the 70th Yokozuna

Tyler Thigpen, American football player

Simona La Mantia, Italian triple jumper

James McFadden, Scottish footballer

William Obeng, Ghanaian-American football player

Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Georgian basketball player

Uğur Boral, Turkish footballer

Roberto Tucci, Italian cardinal and theologian (born 1921)

Nina Cassian, Romanian poet and critic (born 1924)

Crad Kilodney, American-Canadian author (born 1948)

Wally Olins, English businessman and academic (born 1930)

Mick Staton, American soldier and politician (born 1940)

Efi Arazi, Israeli businessman, founded the Scailex Corporation (born 1937)

Colin Davis, English conductor and educator (born 1927)

R. P. Goenka, Indian businessman, founded RPG Group (born 1930)

George Jackson, American singer-songwriter (born 1945)

Armando Villanueva, Peruvian politician, 121st Prime Minister of Peru (born 1915)

Charlie Wilson, American politician (born 1943)

Émile Bouchard, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (born 1919)

Jonathan Frid, Canadian actor (born 1924)