Timeline April 2009

Events in April 2009 13

• 1922 – 2009 Bea Arthur (1922-2009) Died 25 April 2009, aged 86 Arthur was an American actress best known for starring roles in the television sitcoms Maude and The Golden Girls, winning Emmy Awards for both. Her deep voice and comic timing made her one of television's most recognizable performers. She also had an extensive career on the Broadway stage.
• 1930 – 2009 J.G. Ballard (1930-2009) Died 19 April 2009, aged 78 Ballard was a British author known for novels including Empire of the Sun, drawn from his childhood internment in Japanese-occupied Shanghai, and for dystopian science fiction such as Crash. His work influenced a wide range of writers and filmmakers. Empire of the Sun was adapted into a Steven Spielberg film in 1987.
• 1947 – 2009 Dave Arneson (1947-2009) Died 7 April 2009, aged 61 Arneson co-created the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with Gary Gygax, helping to found the modern role-playing game industry. His early campaign designs introduced concepts still used across the hobby. He later worked on numerous other game projects.
• 2009 G20 London Summit World leaders agree $1.1 trillion crisis response Leaders of the G20 nations met in London to coordinate a response to the global financial crisis, pledging over a trillion dollars in support for the IMF and world trade. The summit produced agreements on financial regulation and tax havens. Host Gordon Brown chaired the meeting amid large anti-capitalist protests.
• 2009 Metallica inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Inducted with Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted.
• 2009 Gates caps the F-22 fleet 187 operational aircraft Defense Secretary Robert Gates ends F-22 purchases at 187 operational aircraft, a fraction of the original plan.
• 2009 L'Aquila earthquake strikes central Italy Magnitude 6.3 quake kills over 300 people An earthquake struck the Abruzzo region of central Italy in the early hours of 6 April 2009, devastating the city of L'Aquila. More than 300 people were killed and tens of thousands were left homeless. The disaster later led to a controversial manslaughter trial of scientists over risk communication.
• 2009 Somali pirates hijack the Maersk Alabama Captain Richard Phillips taken hostage and later rescued Somali pirates seized the US-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia, taking Captain Richard Phillips hostage in a lifeboat after the crew retook the vessel. US Navy SEAL snipers killed three of the pirates and freed Phillips on 12 April 2009. The incident drew international attention to Somali piracy.
• 2009 Federer marries Mirka Vavrinec Basel, Switzerland, 11 April 2009 Roger Federer married former Swiss tennis player Mirka Vavrinec in a private ceremony in Basel on 11 April 2009. They had been together since meeting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• 2009 Susan Boyle becomes global singing sensation Unknown Scottish contestant stuns Britain's Got Talent Susan Boyle, a 48-year-old unemployed woman from Scotland, performed "I Dreamed a Dream" on the television talent show Britain's Got Talent. Video of her audition was viewed by hundreds of millions worldwide within days, turning her into an overnight international celebrity. She went on to finish as runner-up in the competition.
• 2009 India re-elects Congress-led coalition Manmohan Singh returns as prime minister India's general election produced a stronger mandate for the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, with Manmohan Singh continuing as prime minister for a second term. Over 400 million voters took part in the multi-phase election. The result was seen as a rejection of identity-based regional parties in favor of national coalitions.
• 2009 2009 World Snooker Championship John Higgins Title 3 Winner: John Higgins; Runner-up: Shaun Murphy. Score: 18–9.
• 2009 Chrysler files for bankruptcy Automaker restructures under US government oversight Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of a US government-backed restructuring during the financial crisis. The company formed an alliance with Fiat as part of its reorganization. It emerged from bankruptcy weeks later with government and union stakes in the new company.