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1973

The 108-story Sears Tower in Chicago is topped out at 1,451 feet (442 m) as the world's tallest building

The 108-story Sears Tower in Chicago is topped out at 1,451 feet (442 m) as the world's tallest building.

1945

World War II: Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg is liberated by the British Army

World War II: Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg is liberated by the British Army.

1945

World War II: The German surrender at Lüneburg Heath is signed, coming into effect the following day

World War II: The German surrender at Lüneburg Heath is signed, coming into effect the following day. It encompasses all Wehrmacht units in the Netherlands, Denmark and northwest Germany.

1942

World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea begins with an attack by aircraft from the United States aircraft carrier USS

World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea begins with an attack by aircraft from the United States aircraft carrier USS Yorktown on Japanese naval forces at Tulagi Island in the Solomon Islands. The J�

1493

In the papal bull Inter caetera, Pope Alexander VI divides the New World between Spain and Portugal along the Line of De

In the papal bull Inter caetera, Pope Alexander VI divides the New World between Spain and Portugal along the Line of Demarcation.

2023

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

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

1945

World War II: The Prague uprising begins as an attempt by the Czech resistance to free the city from German occupation

World War II: The Prague uprising begins as an attempt by the Czech resistance to free the city from German occupation.

1945

World War II: A Fu-Go balloon bomb launched by the Japanese Army kills six people near Bly, Oregon

World War II: A Fu-Go balloon bomb launched by the Japanese Army kills six people near Bly, Oregon.

1945

World War II: Battle of Castle Itter, one of only two battles in that war in which American and German troops fought coo

World War II: Battle of Castle Itter, one of only two battles in that war in which American and German troops fought cooperatively.

1940

World War II: Norwegian campaign: Norwegian squads in Hegra Fortress and Vinjesvingen capitulate to German forces after

World War II: Norwegian campaign: Norwegian squads in Hegra Fortress and Vinjesvingen capitulate to German forces after all other Norwegian forces in southern Norway had laid down their arms.

1494

On his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus sights Jamaica, landing at Discovery Bay and declares Jamaic

On his second voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus sights Jamaica, landing at Discovery Bay and declares Jamaica the property of the Spanish crown.

1945

World War II: Axis Sally delivers her last propaganda broadcast to Allied troops

World War II: Axis Sally delivers her last propaganda broadcast to Allied troops.

1945

World War II: The Prague Offensive, the last major battle of the Eastern Front, begins

World War II: The Prague Offensive, the last major battle of the Eastern Front, begins.

1942

World War II: On Corregidor, the last American forces in the Philippines surrender to the Japanese

World War II: On Corregidor, the last American forces in the Philippines surrender to the Japanese.

1940

World War II: The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister N

World War II: The Norway Debate in the British House of Commons begins, and leads to the replacement of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain with Winston Churchill three days later.

1915

World War I: German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, killing 1,199 people, including 128 Americans

World War I: German submarine U-20 sinks RMS Lusitania, killing 1,199 people, including 128 Americans. Public reaction to the sinking turns many former pro-Germans in the United States against the Ger�

1864

The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co

The world's oldest surviving clipper ship, the City of Adelaide is launched by William Pile, Hay and Co. in Sunderland, England, for transporting passengers and goods between Britain and Australia.

1824

World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria

World premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna, Austria. The performance is conducted by Michael Umlauf under the composer's supervision.

1980

The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox

The World Health Organization confirms the eradication of smallpox.

1945

World War II: The German Instrument of Surrender signed at Berlin-Karlshorst comes into effect

World War II: The German Instrument of Surrender signed at Berlin-Karlshorst comes into effect.