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1941 world war ii the italian german tarigo convoy is attacked a 04 16

1940

World War II: German forces commenced their invasion of Belgium

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

1942

World War II: The U

World War II: The U.S. tanker SS Virginia is torpedoed in the mouth of the Mississippi River by the German submarine U-507.

1950

The inaugural Formula One World Championship race takes place at Silverstone Circuit

The inaugural Formula One World Championship race takes place at Silverstone Circuit. The race was won by Giuseppe Farina, who would go on to become the inaugural champion that year.

1945

World War II: Yevgeny Khaldei's photograph Raising a Flag over the Reichstag is published in Ogonyok magazine

World War II: Yevgeny Khaldei's photograph Raising a Flag over the Reichstag is published in Ogonyok magazine.

1943

World War II: Operations Vulcan and Strike force the surrender of the last Axis troops in Tunisia

World War II: Operations Vulcan and Strike force the surrender of the last Axis troops in Tunisia.

1940

World War II: Germany's conquest of France begins, as the German army crosses the Meuse

World War II: Germany's conquest of France begins, as the German army crosses the Meuse. Winston Churchill makes his "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech to the House of Commons.

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: Rotterdam, Netherlands is bombed by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany despite a ceasefire, killing about 900 p

World War II: Rotterdam, Netherlands is bombed by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany despite a ceasefire, killing about 900 people and destroying the historic city center.

1900

Opening of World Amateur championship at the Paris Exposition Universelle, also known as Olympic Games

Opening of World Amateur championship at the Paris Exposition Universelle, also known as Olympic Games.

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.

2010

Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo

Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.

1945

World War II: The Battle of Poljana, the final skirmish in Europe is fought near Prevalje, Slovenia

World War II: The Battle of Poljana, the final skirmish in Europe is fought near Prevalje, Slovenia.

1942

World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law

World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law.

1940

World War II: The Battle of the Netherlands: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrend

World War II: The Battle of the Netherlands: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrender to Germany, marking the beginning of five years of occupation.