This Week in History

April 3, 1860

The first Pony Express mail simultaneously leaves St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California. The Missouri team, finishing in 10 days, beats the Sacramento team by two days.

April 4, 1968

While standing on a balcony in Memphis, Tennessee, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated by escaped convict James Earl Ray.

April 8, 1974

Atlanta Braves’ Hank Aaron hits his 715th career homerun in their home opener against the L.A. Dodgers, breaking Babe Ruth’s longstanding record.