1863day.year
American Civil War: The largest in a series of Southern bread riots occurs in Richmond, Virginia.
The largest Southern bread riot erupts in Richmond, Virginia, as residents protest severe food shortages during the American Civil War.
On April 2, 1863, women and families in Richmond, Virginia, took to the streets to protest rationing, soaring food prices, and scarce supplies.
Economic hardships and wartime disruptions had left the Confederate capital facing severe shortages of staples such as flour and cornmeal.
The unrest began at food warehouses and quickly grew into mass demonstrations demanding relief from Governor John Letcher.
Martial law was declared, and troops were deployed to disperse the crowds and restore order.
The Richmond bread riot highlighted the growing strain on the Confederate home front and undermined civilian morale.
It remains one of the most significant examples of civil unrest on the Southern home front during the Civil War.
1863
American Civil War
Southern bread riots
Richmond, Virginia
1991day.year
Rita Johnston becomes the first female Premier of a Canadian province when she succeeds William Vander Zalm (who had resigned) as Premier of British Columbia.
In 1991, Rita Johnston became the first woman to serve as premier of a Canadian province, taking office in British Columbia. Her appointment shattered political glass ceilings and made history in Canada.
Rita Johnston rose through the ranks of the British Columbia Social Credit Party before succeeding William Vander Zalm as party leader and premier. On April 2, 1991, she took the oath of office, becoming the first female head of a Canadian provincial government. Johnston’s leadership focused on economic challenges, healthcare reforms, and party unity ahead of imminent elections. Though her tenure was brief, her milestone appointment inspired greater gender diversity in Canadian politics. She faced both acclaim and intense scrutiny as a pioneer for women in leadership. Johnston’s legacy endures as a symbol of progress in political representation.
1991
Rita Johnston
Premier
Canadian province
William Vander Zalm
Premier of British Columbia
2020day.year
COVID-19 pandemic: The total number of confirmed cases reach one million.
On April 2, 2020, global confirmed COVID-19 cases surpassed one million, marking a grim milestone in the unfolding pandemic.
On April 2, 2020, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections worldwide exceeded one million.
First identified in late 2019, the novel coronavirus rapidly spread across continents in a matter of months.
Health systems in Italy, Spain, and New York faced critical shortages of hospital beds and ventilators.
Governments implemented large-scale lockdowns, travel bans, and social distancing measures to curb transmission.
The milestone underscored the severity of the outbreak and accelerated global cooperation on vaccine development.
Public awareness of hygiene practices and remote work surged as societies adapted to the new reality.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic