April 1

1813  Spanish surrendered San Antonio to Mexican revolutionaries.

1867  Blacks voted in Colorado's state elections for the first time, and without incident.

1869  Reorganization of the U.S Army saw the 30th Infantry mereged with the 4th Infantry, impacting troops stationed in Wyoming.  On this day, the D Company's of both regiments were consolidated at Ft. D. A. Russell.  K Company of the 30th Infantry was consolidated with G Company of the 4th Infantry.

1887  Frank Canton became the chief stock detective for northern Wyoming.

1892  The New York Times reports that (large) Wyoming stockmen have launched a raid which would become known as the Johnson County War. This date is remarkable in that it predates the first assault of the war and shows how their plans had already broken as news even at the point the raid was just starting.  The New York Times article featured a headline that read:

OUT FOR WHOLESALE LYNCHINGS.; WYOMING CATTLEMEN ON A CAMPAIGN AGAINST THIEVES.

1915  Wyoming's Workers Compensation act goes into effect.  Attribution:  On This Day.

Workers Compensation fits into the category of economic news that most people find terminally dull, but this was a landmark in Wyoming's history.  The much maligned Workers Compensation system is actually highly unique and Wyoming was a very early adopter of this type of system.

An entirely state administered system, completely occupying the field, the system was modeled on the German workers compensation system which was the origin of the German national healthcare system.  Like the German system, Wyoming's makes the state the insurer of covered workers, rather than requiring employers to purchase private workers compensation insurance.  The system is also quasi judicial in nature, having an adjudicatory system for contested claims with a right of appeal to the state's court system.  

The system also directly impacts civil litigation in Wyoming, as it prohibits suits against employers where an employee has received benefits under the act.  Suits against co-employees are allowed, but only under a very heightened standard.

1917   The Cheyenne Sunday State Leader for April 1, 1917: The President Calls For You. Volunteer to Enlist Now in the National Guard
 

1918  It was reported that  by this day, for a period dating back to December 1, 1917, Wyoming's revenue's from oil royalties had increased 74%, an impact, no doubt, of World War One.

1935  Alcohol once again legal.

1951  The Wyoming Air National Guard's 87th Fighter Squadron was activated for service during the Korean Conflict, with personnel assigned to Clovis AFB, N.M., Germany, Okinawa, and South Korea.  Wyoming pilots would fly 1800 missions during the Korean War.

1970     Richard Nixon signed a measure banning cigarette advertising on radio and TV.

2011  Major General Luke Reiner, who was attached to the Liaison Section of the 3d Bn 49th FA back when I was in it, in the 1980s, for a time, became the the Adjutant General of Wyoming.

Elsewhere:

1778   Oliver Pollock, a New Orleans businessman, created the "$" symbol..

1863   Conscription goes into effect in the Union.

1918    Alberta declares total prohibition of alcoholic beverages.

1954   U.S. Air Force Academy was founded in Colorado.

2016  Governor Mead announced the formation of centers to assist displaced mineral industry workers light of the layoffs by Arch Coal and Peabody Coal Company, the two largest coal producers in the United States.  The layoffs came on top of a nearly continual stream of smaller energy sector layoffs over the past several months.  The formation of centers to assist the displaced workers is extraordinary, bringing to mind no other recent examples of anything similar.