Events April 1 Japanese prime minister Obuchi Keizo suffers a stroke and falls into a coma. April 3 United States v. Microsoft: Microsoft is ruled to have violated United States antitrust laws by keeping "an oppressive thumb" on its competitors. April 5 Mori Yoshiro replaces Obuchi as prime minister of Japan. April 7 Attack submarine ex-Trepang completes being recycled. April 16 Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail Raja of Perlis dies after a reign of 55 years. He was the longest reigning monarch in the world since the death of Hirohito Emperor of Japan. April 17 Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin becomes Raja of Perlis. April 22 In a predawn raid federal agents seize six-year old Elin Gonzlez from his relatives' home in Miami Florida and fly him to his Cuban father in Washington DC ending one of the most publicized custody battles in US history. April 25 The State of Vermont passes HB847 legalizing Civil Unions for same-sex couples. v d eList of events by month 2009: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2008: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2007: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2006: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2005: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2004: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2003: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2002: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2001: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December 2000: January  February  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November  December