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1943

World War II: Dambuster Raids commence by No

World War II: Dambuster Raids commence by No. 617 Squadron RAF.

1940

World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium

World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium.

1990

In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515

In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph).

1944

World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino: Conclusion after seven days of the fourth battle as German paratroopers evacuate

World War II: Battle of Monte Cassino: Conclusion after seven days of the fourth battle as German paratroopers evacuate Monte Cassino.

1917

World War I: The Selective Service Act of 1917 is passed, giving the President of the United States the power of conscri

World War I: The Selective Service Act of 1917 is passed, giving the President of the United States the power of conscription.

1942

World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor for repairs

World War II: In the aftermath of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Task Force 16 heads to Pearl Harbor for repairs.

1941

World War II: Battle of Crete: German paratroops invade Crete

World War II: Battle of Crete: German paratroops invade Crete.

2011

Radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted that the world would end on this date

Radio broadcaster Harold Camping predicted that the world would end on this date.

2005

The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey

The tallest roller coaster in the world, Kingda Ka opens at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey.

1942

Mexico enters the Second World War on the side of the Allies

Mexico enters the Second World War on the side of the Allies.

1939

World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel

World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel.

1945

World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel, commits suicide while in Allied custody

World War II: Heinrich Himmler, head of the Schutzstaffel, commits suicide while in Allied custody.

1945

World War II: Germany's Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz is dissolved when its members are arrested by British for

World War II: Germany's Flensburg Government under Karl Dönitz is dissolved when its members are arrested by British forces.

1941

World War II: German paratroopers start a series of mass executions of Greek civilians in Missiria for their participati

World War II: German paratroopers start a series of mass executions of Greek civilians in Missiria for their participation in the ongoing Battle of Crete.

1915

World War I: Italy joins the Allies, fulfilling its part of the Treaty of London

World War I: Italy joins the Allies, fulfilling its part of the Treaty of London.

1994

Four men are convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in New York in 1993; each one is sentenced to 240 years in pris

Four men are convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in New York in 1993; each one is sentenced to 240 years in prison.

1944

Börse Berlin building burns down after being hit in an air raid during World War II

Börse Berlin building burns down after being hit in an air raid during World War II.

1941

World War II: Battle of the Atlantic: In the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the German battleship Bismarck sinks the prid

World War II: Battle of the Atlantic: In the Battle of the Denmark Strait, the German battleship Bismarck sinks the pride of the Royal Navy, HMS Hood, killing all but three crewmen.

1940

World War II: The German 2nd Panzer Division captures the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; the surrender of the last French and

World War II: The German 2nd Panzer Division captures the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; the surrender of the last French and British troops marks the end of the Battle of Boulogne.

1935

Jesse Owens of Ohio State University breaks three world records and ties a fourth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Fi

Jesse Owens of Ohio State University breaks three world records and ties a fourth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Field Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan.