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1883

New York City's Brooklyn Bridge opened as the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time

New York City's Brooklyn Bridge opened as the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time.

1940

Second World War: German troops captured Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, forcing British forces to evacuate via Dunkirk

Second World War: German troops captured Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, forcing British forces to evacuate via Dunkirk.

1894

Germany's Emanuel Lasker defeated Wilhelm Steinitz to become the world chess champion, beginning a record 27-year reign

Germany's Emanuel Lasker defeated Wilhelm Steinitz to become the world chess champion, beginning a record 27-year reign.

1941

World War II: The German battleship Bismarck was sunk by gun and torpedo fire by the British battleships HMS Rodney and

World War II: The German battleship Bismarck was sunk by gun and torpedo fire by the British battleships HMS Rodney and HMS King George V and supporting cruisers.

1940

World War II: Ninety-seven soldiers of the British Royal Norfolk Regiment were killed after surrendering to German force

World War II: Ninety-seven soldiers of the British Royal Norfolk Regiment were killed after surrendering to German forces.

1937

The Golden Gate Bridge, at the time the world's longest suspension bridge by span, opened between San Francisco and Mari

The Golden Gate Bridge, at the time the world's longest suspension bridge by span, opened between San Francisco and Marin County, California.

1930

Standing at 1,047 ft (319 m), New York City's Chrysler Building opened as the world's tallest building before it was sur

Standing at 1,047 ft (319 m), New York City's Chrysler Building opened as the world's tallest building before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building 11 months later.

1940

Second World War: Belgium surrendered to Nazi Germany, ending the Battle of Belgium

Second World War: Belgium surrendered to Nazi Germany, ending the Battle of Belgium.

1918

World War I: Armenian forces defeated Ottoman troops at the Battle of Sardarabad, halting the Turkish advance and preven

World War I: Armenian forces defeated Ottoman troops at the Battle of Sardarabad, halting the Turkish advance and preventing further destruction of the Armenian nation.

1940

Second World War: HMS Cambrian was sunk by a mine in The Solent, with the loss of 23 lives

Second World War: HMS Cambrian was sunk by a mine in The Solent, with the loss of 23 lives.

1890

The Ulm Minster, the world's tallest church building, is completed in Ulm, Germany

The Ulm Minster, the world's tallest church building, is completed in Ulm, Germany.

1942

World War II: The crews of three Japanese submarines scuttled their vessels and committed suicide after entering Sydney

World War II: The crews of three Japanese submarines scuttled their vessels and committed suicide after entering Sydney Harbour and launching a failed attack.

1676

Scanian War: The Swedish warship Kronan, one of the largest ships in the world at the time, sank at the Battle of Öland

Scanian War: The Swedish warship Kronan, one of the largest ships in the world at the time, sank at the Battle of Öland with the loss of around 800 men.

1944

World War II: A United States Navy task group captured German submarine U-505 (pictured)

World War II: A United States Navy task group captured German submarine U-505 (pictured).

1942

World War II: The Battle of Midway, a major battle of the Pacific War, began with a massive Japanese offensive on Americ

World War II: The Battle of Midway, a major battle of the Pacific War, began with a massive Japanese offensive on American forces on Midway Atoll.

1940

Second World War: The remaining Allied forces protecting the Dunkirk evacuation surrendered, ending the Battle of Dunkir

Second World War: The remaining Allied forces protecting the Dunkirk evacuation surrendered, ending the Battle of Dunkirk; in response, British prime minister Winston Churchill gave a speech in which�

1916

World War I: Russian forces began their successful Brusilov offensive against the Central Powers

World War I: Russian forces began their successful Brusilov offensive against the Central Powers.

1941

World War II: German forces dropped four bombs on neutral Ireland, killing 28 people and damaging Áras an Uachtaráin, th

World War II: German forces dropped four bombs on neutral Ireland, killing 28 people and damaging Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of the President of Ireland.

1890

Ulm Minster, the world's tallest church building, was completed in Ulm, Germany

Ulm Minster, the world's tallest church building, was completed in Ulm, Germany.

1941

World War II: In reprisal for the participation of the local population in the Battle of Crete, the German Wehrmacht des

World War II: In reprisal for the participation of the local population in the Battle of Crete, the German Wehrmacht destroyed the village of Kandanos, Greece, and killed about 180 of its inhabitants.