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1948

Arab–Israeli War: The Kfar Etzion massacre occurs, a day prior to the Israeli Declaration of Independence

Arab–Israeli War: The Kfar Etzion massacre occurs, a day prior to the Israeli Declaration of Independence.

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.

1861

American Civil War: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom issues a "proclamation of neutrality" which recognizes the Conf

American Civil War: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom issues a "proclamation of neutrality" which recognizes the Confederacy as having belligerent rights.

1568

Mary, Queen of Scots, is defeated at the Battle of Langside, part of the civil war between Queen Mary and the supporters

Mary, Queen of Scots, is defeated at the Battle of Langside, part of the civil war between Queen Mary and the supporters of her son, James VI.

1980

Salvadoran Civil War: the Sumpul River massacre occurs in Chalatenango, El Salvador

Salvadoran Civil War: the Sumpul River massacre occurs in Chalatenango, El Salvador.

1955

Cold War: Eight Communist bloc countries, including the Soviet Union, sign a mutual defense treaty called the Warsaw Pac

Cold War: Eight Communist bloc countries, including the Soviet Union, sign a mutual defense treaty called the Warsaw Pact.

1943

World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland

World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland.

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.

1868

Boshin War: The Battle of Utsunomiya Castle ends as former Tokugawa shogunate forces withdraw northward

Boshin War: The Battle of Utsunomiya Castle ends as former Tokugawa shogunate forces withdraw northward.

1863

American Civil War: During the Vicksburg campaign, Union forces drive Confederates under Joseph E

American Civil War: During the Vicksburg campaign, Union forces drive Confederates under Joseph E. Johnston out of Jackson, Mississippi in the Battle of Jackson.

1988

Soviet–Afghan War: After more than eight years of fighting, the Soviet Army begins to withdraw 115,000 troops from Afgha

Soviet–Afghan War: After more than eight years of fighting, the Soviet Army begins to withdraw 115,000 troops from Afghanistan.

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.

1918

The Finnish Civil War ends when the Whites took over Fort Ino, a Russian coastal artillery base on the Karelian Isthmus,

The Finnish Civil War ends when the Whites took over Fort Ino, a Russian coastal artillery base on the Karelian Isthmus, from Russian troops.

1864

American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Co

American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Confederate army to force Union General Franz Sigel out of the Shenandoah Valley.

1987

Iran–Iraq War: An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet fires two missiles into the U

Iran–Iraq War: An Iraqi Dassault Mirage F1 fighter jet fires two missiles into the U.S. Navy warship USS Stark, killing 37 and injuring 21 of her crew.

1967

Six-Day War: President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt demands dismantling of the peace-keeping UN Emergency Force in Egypt

Six-Day War: President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt demands dismantling of the peace-keeping UN Emergency Force in Egypt.