What Happened on April 28?

April 28 is National Superhero Day — real and fictional heroes included. On this date in 1789, sailors mutinied on the Bounty, and in 1967 Muhammad Ali refused military induction, standing up for his beliefs.

• 1758 — Future president James Monroe is born in Virginia

  James Monroe, born April 28, 1758, became the fifth U.S. president and author of the Monroe Doctrine — warning Europe to stay out of the Americas. Read the full story →

• 1789 — Sailors mutiny on HMS Bounty in the South Pacific

  On April 28, 1789, Fletcher Christian and crew seized the Bounty from Captain William Bligh — one of history's most famous mutinies. Read the full story →

• 1945 — Italian dictator Benito Mussolini is captured and executed

  On April 28, 1945, partisans caught Mussolini fleeing Italy as World War II in Europe neared its end — closing the era of Fascist rule he began in 1922. Read the full story →

• 1947 — Thor Heyerdahl sets sail on the Kon-Tiki raft

  On April 28, 1947, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl and five crew left Peru on a balsa-wood raft named Kon-Tiki to test ancient migration theories. Read the full story →

• 1967 — Muhammad Ali refuses induction into the U.S. Army

  On April 28, 1967, boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to step forward when his name was called for the Vietnam War draft — citing religious and moral objections. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Harper Lee (1926–2016) · Jay Leno (1950) · Penélope Cruz (1974) · James Monroe (1758–1831)

Days & observances

National Superhero Day · World Day for Safety and Health at Work · National Blueberry Pie Day · Workers' Memorial Day