People and Events on April 3, 1996

Mayo Hibi

29 Years Old

Japanese tennis sensation known for being the youngest player to qualify for the Australian Open at 15 years old and winning the 2013 Wimbledon Girls' Singles title. She's a rising...

All Birthdays on April 3

The Unabomber's Downfall and a Tennis Sensation's Rise: April 3rd, 1996

On April 3rd, 1996, two contrasting events took place, one marking the end of a notorious era and the other signaling the beginning of a promising career. This day would go down in history as a turning point in the fight against domestic terrorism and a milestone in the life of a young tennis prodigy.

The Capture of the Unabomber

Theodore Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, was finally caught by FBI agents on April 3rd, 1996, marking the end of a 17-year long manhunt. Kaczynski, a Mathematician and anarchist, had carried out a series of deadly attacks that killed three people and injured 23 others through a series of mail bombs. His capture not only brought relief to the nation but also marked a significant victory for law enforcement.

A Tennis Sensation is Born

On the same day, Mayo Hibi, a talented Japanese tennis player, was born. Hibi would go on to make history by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the Australian Open at just 15 years old. She would later win the 2013 Wimbledon Girls' Singles title, cementing her position as a rising star in the tennis world.

A Tragic Loss in Croatia

Tragedy struck on April 3rd, 1996, when US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown died in a plane crash in Croatia. Brown was on a trade mission to the region when the plane carrying him and 34 others crashed into a hillside, killing everyone on board. Brown's death was a shock to the nation and a significant loss to the Clinton administration.

April 3rd, 1996, was a day of contrasts, marked by the capture of a notorious criminal and the birth of a talented athlete. It was also a day of tragedy, as the nation mourned the loss of a distinguished public servant. As we look back on this day, we are reminded of the complexities of human nature and the power of human resilience.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

April 3rd, 1996, may have been a day of mixed fortunes, but it will always be remembered as a significant milestone in the lives of those who made history on this day.

Noteworthy Events on this Day:
29 years ago
US Commerce Secretary Ron Brown dies in Croatia plane crash (Dubrovnik Airport, Croatia) 1996
On a foggy morning, a United States Air Force Boeing T-43, carrying Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown and 35 other passengers, took off from Tuzla Air Base in Bosnia, bound for Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia. As the aircraft descended through the thick fog, it crashed into a hillside, killing everyone on board. The tragedy sent shockwaves across the globe, leaving behind a trail of grief and unanswered questions.
29 years ago
Theodore Kaczynski, aka "Unabomber", is captured by FBI agents (Lincoln, Montana, USA) 1996
FBI agents finally close in on the elusive Unabomber, Theodore Kaczynski, at his remote Montana cabin, ending an 18-year manhunt. The reclusive math whiz turned anti-technology crusader, responsible for mailing deadly homemade bombs that killed three people and injured 23, had evaded capture for nearly two decades. His brother, David Kaczynski, had unknowingly aided the investigation by recognizing his brother's writing style in the Unabomber's manifesto. The arrest brings relief to a nation that had lived in fear of the mysterious bomber.