United States History On This Date: April 5

1614 — Pocahontas Marries John Rolfe

Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan chief Wahunsenacawh, married English tobacco planter John Rolfe in Jamestown, Virginia. Their union helped establish a brief peace between settlers and Native tribes, shaping early colonial diplomacy in the Chesapeake region.

1792 — Washington Issues First Presidential Veto

President George Washington vetoed a congressional bill on legislative apportionment, marking the first use of executive veto power. His decision helped define the balance between the presidency and Congress in the young republic.

1945 — Sadao Munemori Sacrifices Himself in Combat

Private First Class Sadao Munemori became the first Japanese American awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, after falling on a grenade to save fellow soldiers in Italy. His heroism challenged wartime prejudice and honored the Nisei legacy.

1933 — FDR Ends Bank Holiday

President Franklin D. Roosevelt reopened banks after a nationwide “bank holiday” aimed at halting the financial panic. The move restored public confidence and became a cornerstone of the New Deal’s early success.