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What happened on April 20th?
The tragic legacy of a deadly offshore explosion
Matthew Jones
April 20, 2025
2010 Explosion on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, operated by BP, suffered a catastrophic explosion, releasing millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. This environmental disaster became one of the worst in history, killing eleven people and injuring seven and causing extensive damage to marine life, local economies, and coastal ecosystems. The aftermath led to massive cleanup efforts, ongoing legal battles, and billions of dollars in fines and compensation costs.
The photo shows the fire boat response crews battling the blazing remnants of the offshore oil rig Deepwater Horizon on April 21, 2010.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on April 20:
2021 — Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, a pivotal moment in the fight for racial justice and police reform in the United States.
1999 — Two armed students killed 13 people at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, sparking a nationwide debate on gun violence and school safety that continues today.
1924 — Turkey's Grand National Assembly finalized the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, adopting a republican constitution and establishing the Republic of Turkey.
1919 — Polish forces expelled Russia's Red Army from Vilnius, intensifying the conflict over the contested city during the Polish-Soviet War.
1914 — The National Guard and corporate guards attacked striking miners and their families in Ludlow, Colorado, during a violent confrontation known as the Ludlow Massacre.
1653 — Oliver Cromwell dissolved England's Rump Parliament, solidifying his control over the country during the English Civil War.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On April 20, we’re singing to:
Napoleon III (1808) — Emperor of France who led the Second French Empire and oversaw significant modernization of the country, including the rebuilding of Paris.
Adolf Hitler (1889) — Mass murderer and dictator of Nazi Germany, whose regime caused the devastation of World War II and the Holocaust.
Jessica Lange (1949) — American actress known for her versatile roles in films such as Tootsie and Frances, as well as her award-winning performances in American Horror Story.
Luther Vandross (1951) — American singer and songwriter celebrated for his smooth R&B hits, including "Never Too Much" and "A House Is Not a Home."
🪦Who Died Today?
On April 20, we’re saying goodbye to:
Bram Stoker (1912) — Irish writer best known for Dracula, a gothic novel that became a cornerstone of horror literature and vampire mythology.
Ferdinand Braun (1918) — German physicist awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on the development of the cathode ray tube, which was essential for the invention of television.
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