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2012

Tokyo Skytree opens to the public

Tokyo Skytree opens to the public. It is the tallest tower in the world (634 m), and the second tallest man-made structure on Earth after Burj Khalifa (829.8 m).

1927

Near Xining, China, an 8

Near Xining, China, an 8.3 magnitude earthquake causes 200,000 deaths in one of the world's most destructive earthquakes.

2020

Protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd erupt in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, later becoming widespread across the U

Protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd erupt in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, later becoming widespread across the United States and around the world.

1900

The Reichstag approves new legislation continuing Germany's naval expansion program, providing for construction of 38 ba

The Reichstag approves new legislation continuing Germany's naval expansion program, providing for construction of 38 battleships over a 20-year period. Germany's fleet would be the largest in the wor�

1919

Admiral Ludwig von Reuter scuttles the German fleet at Scapa Flow, Orkney

Admiral Ludwig von Reuter scuttles the German fleet at Scapa Flow, Orkney. The nine sailors killed are the last casualties of World War I.

1981

The Humber Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

The Humber Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. It remained the world's longest bridge span for 17 years.

1927

Prime Minister of Japan Tanaka Giichi convenes an eleven-day conference to discuss Japan's strategy in China

Prime Minister of Japan Tanaka Giichi convenes an eleven-day conference to discuss Japan's strategy in China. The Tanaka Memorial, a forged plan for world domination, is later claimed to be a secret r�

1954

Food rationing in Great Britain ends, with the lifting of restrictions on sale and purchase of meat, 14 years after it…

Food rationing in Great Britain ends, with the lifting of restrictions on sale and purchase of meat, 14 years after it began early in World War II, and nearly a decade after the war's end.

1988

The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil…

The Piper Alpha drilling platform in the North Sea is destroyed by explosions and fires. One hundred sixty-seven oil workers are killed, making it the world's worst offshore oil disaster in terms of d�

1952

The ocean liner SS United States passes Bishop Rock on her maiden voyage, breaking the transatlantic speed record to…

The ocean liner SS United States passes Bishop Rock on her maiden voyage, breaking the transatlantic speed record to become the fastest passenger ship in the world.

1976

Japan completes its last reparation to the Philippines for war crimes committed during imperial Japan's conquest of…

Japan completes its last reparation to the Philippines for war crimes committed during imperial Japan's conquest of the country in the Second World War.

1923

The Treaty of Lausanne, settling the boundaries of modern Turkey, is signed in Switzerland by Greece, Bulgaria and…

The Treaty of Lausanne, settling the boundaries of modern Turkey, is signed in Switzerland by Greece, Bulgaria and other countries that fought in World War I.

1932

During the Great Depression, U.S. president Herbert Hoover orders the United States Army to forcibly evict the "Bonus…

During the Great Depression, U.S. president Herbert Hoover orders the United States Army to forcibly evict the "Bonus Army" of World War I veterans gathered in Washington, D.C.

1988

Japanese American internment: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, providing $20,000…

Japanese American internment: U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, providing $20,000 payments to Japanese Americans who were either interned in or relocated by the Unite�

1995

Tomiichi Murayama, Prime Minister of Japan, releases the Murayama Statement, which formally expresses remorse for…

Tomiichi Murayama, Prime Minister of Japan, releases the Murayama Statement, which formally expresses remorse for Japanese war crimes committed during World War II.

1916

German admiral Wilhelm Souchon hands over the two warships under his command to the Ottomans and becomes commander of…

German admiral Wilhelm Souchon hands over the two warships under his command to the Ottomans and becomes commander of the Turkish navy, leading later to the entry of the Ottoman Empire in World War I.

1939

Nazi Germany mounts a false flag attack on the Gleiwitz radio station, creating an excuse to attack Poland the…

Nazi Germany mounts a false flag attack on the Gleiwitz radio station, creating an excuse to attack Poland the following day, thus starting World War II in Europe.

1948

In France, Robert Schuman becomes President of the Council while being Foreign minister; as such, he is the French…

In France, Robert Schuman becomes President of the Council while being Foreign minister; as such, he is the French negotiator of the major treaties of the end of World War II.

1997

The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place in London. Well over a million people line the streets and 21⁄2…

The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place in London. Well over a million people line the streets and 21⁄2 billion watch around the world on television.

1994

USAir Flight 427, on approach to Pittsburgh International Airport, suddenly crashes in clear weather killing all 132…

USAir Flight 427, on approach to Pittsburgh International Airport, suddenly crashes in clear weather killing all 132 aboard, resulting in the most extensive aviation investigation in world history and�