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1945

World War II: Up to 2,500 people die in a mass suicide in Demmin following the advance of the Red Army

World War II: Up to 2,500 people die in a mass suicide in Demmin following the advance of the Red Army.

1898

Spanish–American War: Battle of Manila Bay: The Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy destroys the Pacific Squadron

Spanish–American War: Battle of Manila Bay: The Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy destroys the Pacific Squadron of the Spanish Navy after a seven-hour battle. Spain loses all seven of its shi�

1863

American Civil War: The Battle of Chancellorsville between Robert E

American Civil War: The Battle of Chancellorsville between Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army of the Potomac under Joseph Hooker begins.

1863

American Civil War: During the Vicksburg campaign, Union forces under Ulysses S

American Civil War: During the Vicksburg campaign, Union forces under Ulysses S. Grant win the Battle of Port Gibson and establish a firm presence on the east side of the Mississippi River.

2014

Russo-Ukrainian War: Forty-eight people were killed during a confrontation between pro-Russian protesters and pro-Ukrain

Russo-Ukrainian War: Forty-eight people were killed during a confrontation between pro-Russian protesters and pro-Ukrainian unity protesters in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odesa.

1995

Croatian War of Independence: Serb forces began rocket attacks on the Croatian capital Zagreb, killing 7 people and inju

Croatian War of Independence: Serb forces began rocket attacks on the Croatian capital Zagreb, killing 7 people and injuring around 200 others.

1982

Falklands War: HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano (pictured), the only ship ever to have been del

Falklands War: HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano (pictured), the only ship ever to have been deliberately sunk by a nuclear submarine in battle.

1995

During the Croatian War of Independence, the Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina fires cluster bombs at Zagreb, killing

During the Croatian War of Independence, the Army of the Republic of Serb Krajina fires cluster bombs at Zagreb, killing seven and wounding over 175 civilians.

1964

Vietnam War: An explosion attributed to Viet Cong commandos caused the escort carrier USNS Card to sink in the port of S

Vietnam War: An explosion attributed to Viet Cong commandos caused the escort carrier USNS Card to sink in the port of Saigon.

1945

World War II: General Helmuth Weidling, the German commander of Berlin, surrendered to Soviet forces led by Marshal Geor

World War II: General Helmuth Weidling, the German commander of Berlin, surrendered to Soviet forces led by Marshal Georgy Zhukov, ending the Battle of Berlin.

1989

Cold War: Hungary begins dismantling its border fence with Austria, which allows a number of East Germans to defect

Cold War: Hungary begins dismantling its border fence with Austria, which allows a number of East Germans to defect.

1982

Falklands War: The British nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror sinks the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano

Falklands War: The British nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror sinks the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano.

1964

Vietnam War: An explosion sinks the American aircraft carrier USNS Card while it is docked at Saigon

Vietnam War: An explosion sinks the American aircraft carrier USNS Card while it is docked at Saigon. Two Viet Cong combat swimmers had placed explosives on the ship's hull. She is raised and returned�

1945

World War II: The Soviet Union announces the fall of Berlin

World War II: The Soviet Union announces the fall of Berlin.

1945

World War II: The surrender of Caserta comes into effect, by which German troops in Italy cease fighting

World War II: The surrender of Caserta comes into effect, by which German troops in Italy cease fighting.

1945

World War II: The US 82nd Airborne Division liberates Wöbbelin concentration camp finding 1,000 dead prisoners, most of

World War II: The US 82nd Airborne Division liberates Wöbbelin concentration camp finding 1,000 dead prisoners, most of whom starved to death.

1945

World War II: A death march from Dachau to the Austrian border is halted by the segregated, all-Nisei 522nd Field Artill

World War II: A death march from Dachau to the Austrian border is halted by the segregated, all-Nisei 522nd Field Artillery Battalion of the U.S. Army in southern Bavaria, saving several hundred priso�

1863

American Civil War: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during th

American Civil War: Stonewall Jackson is wounded by friendly fire while returning to camp after reconnoitering during the Battle of Chancellorsville. He succumbs to pneumonia eight days later.

1812

The Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence ends with both sides claiming victory

The Siege of Cuautla during the Mexican War of Independence ends with both sides claiming victory.

1808

Outbreak of the Peninsular War: The people of Madrid rise up in rebellion against French occupation

Outbreak of the Peninsular War: The people of Madrid rise up in rebellion against French occupation. Francisco de Goya later memorializes this event in his painting The Second of May 1808.