Dashed left edge = started before April 2012 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond April 2012
Events in April 2012 8
1913 – 2012Maersk MøllerShipping GiantTurned Maersk into the worlds largest container shipping line, a pillar of the Danish economy.
1940 – 2012Levon Helm (1940-2012)Died 19 April 2012, aged 71American musician and drummer-vocalist for the roots-rock group the Band. He died of complications from throat cancer.
2012John Mellencamp's musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County opensWith Stephen KingA musical written with Stephen King.
2012Kaz Hirai becomes CEO — One Sony strategyKazuo Hirai becomes Sony CEO in April 2012, replacing Howard Stringer who had led the company since 2005. Hirai announces the 'One Sony' strategy — restructuring the sprawling conglomerate around three core businesses: gaming (PlayStation), mobile (Sony Xperia smartphones) and imaging. He sells Sony's Vaio PC business to Japan Industrial Partners, spins off the TV division and announces 10,000 job cuts. One Sony is Sony's most decisive restructuring in decades.
2012Facebook acquires InstagramPhoto-sharing app bought for roughly $1 billionFacebook announced it would acquire the photo-sharing startup Instagram, then just two years old with no revenue, in a deal of cash and stock. The purchase was widely seen as a defensive move to secure Facebook's position in mobile photo sharing.
2012Kim Jong-un becomes North Korea's Supreme LeaderFormal consolidation of power after his father's deathKim Jong-un was named First Chairman of the National Defence Commission, completing his formal succession as North Korea's leader following Kim Jong-il's death in December 2011. He had already been declared Supreme Commander of the armed forces in December 2011.
2012The Miracles inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of FameBelated inductionInducted 25 years after Smokey's solo induction.
20122012 World Snooker ChampionshipO’Sullivan DominanceWinner: Ronnie O’Sullivan; Runner-up: Ali Carter. Score: 18–11.