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1931

New York City's Empire State Building (pictured), at the time the tallest building in the world, opened

New York City's Empire State Building (pictured), at the time the tallest building in the world, opened.

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.

1878

A dust explosion (depicted) at the world's largest flour mill in Minneapolis resulted in 18 deaths

A dust explosion (depicted) at the world's largest flour mill in Minneapolis resulted in 18 deaths.

1945

Second World War: The German ocean liner Cap Arcona, afloat in the Bay of Lübeck with thousands of concentration camp su

Second World War: The German ocean liner Cap Arcona, afloat in the Bay of Lübeck with thousands of concentration camp survivors on board, was attacked and sunk by the Royal Air Force.

1942

Second World War: Japanese forces began an invasion of Tulagi and nearby islands in the British Solomon Islands, enablin

Second World War: Japanese forces began an invasion of Tulagi and nearby islands in the British Solomon Islands, enabling them to threaten and intercept supply and communication routes between the Uni�

2023

The World Health Organization declared the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency

The World Health Organization declared the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency.

1945

World War II: American and German troops fought side-by-side at the Battle for Castle Itter, defending a prison against

World War II: American and German troops fought side-by-side at the Battle for Castle Itter, defending a prison against Waffen-SS forces.

1945

World War II: The citizens of Prague spontaneously rose up against the city's German occupiers

World War II: The citizens of Prague spontaneously rose up against the city's German occupiers.

1940

World War II: A squad of 250 Norwegian volunteers defending Hegra Fortress surrendered to a superior Nazi force after a

World War II: A squad of 250 Norwegian volunteers defending Hegra Fortress surrendered to a superior Nazi force after a 25-day siege.

1942

World War II: Japanese troops overcame fierce American and Philippine resistance to win the Battle of Corregidor

World War II: Japanese troops overcame fierce American and Philippine resistance to win the Battle of Corregidor.

1945

A parade in Sétif, French Algeria, celebrating the end of World War II in Europe became a riot and was followed by repri

A parade in Sétif, French Algeria, celebrating the end of World War II in Europe became a riot and was followed by reprisals, carried out by colonial authorities over the following weeks, that killed�

1942

World War II: The Axis launched a major counteroffensive, turning the tide of the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula

World War II: The Axis launched a major counteroffensive, turning the tide of the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula.

1944

World War II: The Japanese Take Ichi convoy arrived at Halmahera in the Dutch East Indies after losing many ships and th

World War II: The Japanese Take Ichi convoy arrived at Halmahera in the Dutch East Indies after losing many ships and thousands of troops to Allied attacks while attempting to carry two divisions of t�

1915

World War I: British forces launched the Battle of Aubers, an offensive on the Western Front, as part of the larger Seco

World War I: British forces launched the Battle of Aubers, an offensive on the Western Front, as part of the larger Second Battle of Artois.

868

A copy of the Diamond Sutra was printed in Tang-dynasty China, making it the world's oldest dated printed book

A copy of the Diamond Sutra was printed in Tang-dynasty China, making it the world's oldest dated printed book.

2013

One World Trade Center (pictured) in New York City, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, was topped out at a

One World Trade Center (pictured) in New York City, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, was topped out at a height of 1,776 feet (541 m).

1941

World War II: German Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess (pictured) parachuted into Scotland in an attempt to negotiate peace with

World War II: German Deputy Führer Rudolf Hess (pictured) parachuted into Scotland in an attempt to negotiate peace with the British government.

1940

World War II: German forces commenced their invasion of Belgium

World War II: German forces commenced their invasion of Belgium.

1958

The Australian adventurer Ben Carlin (pictured) became the only person to circumnavigate the world in an amphibious vehi

The Australian adventurer Ben Carlin (pictured) became the only person to circumnavigate the world in an amphibious vehicle, having travelled over 80,000 kilometres (50,000 miles) by land and sea.

1940

World War II: The bulk of Dutch forces surrendered to the German Wehrmacht, ending the Battle of the Netherlands

World War II: The bulk of Dutch forces surrendered to the German Wehrmacht, ending the Battle of the Netherlands.