Today in History: Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on April 4 throughout history:

1818 – United States Congress adopts the Flag Act
On April 4, 1818, Congress passed an act that restored the flag to 13 stripes and specified that each state would be represented by a star, to be added on the Fourth of July following a state’s admission.

1841 – President William Henry Harrison dies in office
President Harrison died of pneumonia on April 4, 1841, after serving just 32 days in office.

1850 – City of Los Angeles incorporated
Los Angeles was incorporated as a U.S. city on April 4, 1850.

1887 – Susanna M. Salter elected first female mayor in the U.S.
Susanna Madora Salter was elected mayor of Argonia, Kansas, on April 4, 1887, becoming the first woman to hold such a position in the United States.

1949 – Formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 1949, establishing NATO.

1960 – “Ben-Hur” wins 11 Academy Awards
At the 32nd Academy Awards held on April 4, 1960, “Ben-Hur” won 11 Oscars, including Best Picture.

1968 – Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

1973 – World Trade Center officially dedicated
The original World Trade Center complex was dedicated on April 4, 1973, in New York City.

1975 – Microsoft founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen
Microsoft was founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1991 – Senator John Heinz dies in aircraft collision
On April 4, 1991, Senator John Heinz and six others were killed when a helicopter collided with Heinz’s plane over Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.