April 2002 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

Events

See also: Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (April 2002)

April 1, 2002

• Various April Fool's hoaxes are perpetrated throughout the world, as is custom.

April 6, 2002

• As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies, the United States repeats its demands to Israel that it should pull back its troops.

April 7, 2002

• There are reports that the Poincaré conjecture may have been solved by Martin Dunwoody.
• More than half a million people march on the streets of Caracas protesting against the Venezuelan government.

April 11, 2002

• Ten nations deposit their ratifications for the International Criminal Court at a United Nations ceremony, bringing the total to 66, well above the 60 needed to bring the Statute into force. The ICC will therefore come into force on 1 July 2002.

• More than half a million people march on the streets of Caracas protesting against the Venezuelan government.

April 12, 2002

• Coup d'état in Venezuela. President Hugo Chávez is brought to military barracks. Military announces transitional government consisting of mix of civilians and military headed by leader of the Chamber of Commerce (FEDECAMARAS), Pedro Carmona, who immediately repeals constitution, dissolves supreme court and parliament.

April 13, 2002

Left Handers' Day

April 14, 2002

• Hugo Chávez returns to power in Venezuela.

April 18, 2002

• A small aircraft crashes on Pirelli building in Milan, Italy, killing two women.

April 21, 2002

• Extreme-right candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen qualifies for second round of French Presidential Elections. Right-wing incumbent Jacques Chirac places first. Socialist prime minister Lionel Jospin places third and announces his retirement from politics. Thousands take to the street all over France to protest against Le Pen.
  • Chirac (19.9%), Le Pen (17.4%), Jospin (16.3%), Bayrou (6.5%), Lauguiller (6.3%), Mamere (5.5%), Chevenement (5.3%), Besancenot (4.5%), Saint-Josse (4.0%), Hue(3.6%). Turnout 75%.

April 26, 2002

• In Erfurt, Germany, a nineteen-year-old runs amok at his high school, killing 13 teachers, two other pupils, a police officer and himself. The event sparks a discussion about stricter weapons laws in Germany, and about banning violent computer games and movies.

April 28, 2002

• Recent celebrity deaths: Alexander Lebed - Russian General who ran for the presidency against Boris Yeltsin; Ruth Handler - inventor of the Barbie Doll