KNIGHT MOVES | April towers with a wealth of history

By Craig Knight

It’s April already — and what a hectic month it is turning out to be! 

Springtime brings tax season, the start of the second quarter, April showers (hopefully; we can use it!), allergy season (ah-choo … gesundheit!), the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournament, and more. Thrilling! 

Sadly, we begin the month by honoring soul legend Marvin Gaye, who passed away 41 years ago on April 1, 1984 — only one day before his birthday. I remember it was some time before people believed he had actually died, because it happened on April Fool’s Day. 

On April 4, we commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1968 assassination. Back in the day, it was customary to drive during the day with your headlights on in his memory. 

We honor the anniversary of a very significant event in American sports history on April 8: Major League Baseball legend Henry “Hank” Aaron smashed Babe Ruth’s previous record of 714 home runs in 1974! 

And why do I find this so important? There was news that Mr. Aaron was getting death threats as he drew close to breaking Ruth’s record. Racism was still a problem during that era. Even as young kids, we were aware — and wondered if Mr. Aaron would give up and not jeopardize his life by stopping at 713 home runs. Many of us were inspired to be great at all costs when he dared to tie the record and then smashed it with his 715th home run! It’s no surprise to me that bigotry, stupidity, and tomfoolery can still be found in 2025, 51 years later. 

In April, we also celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, Stress Awareness Month, Earth Month, Alcohol Awareness Month, and Arab American Heritage Month, among others. 

Until the next edition of Knight Moves, educate yourself and share knowledge with others. God bless you!