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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.

1942

World War II: The German 11th Army begins Operation Trappenjagd (Bustard Hunt) and destroys the bridgehead of the three

World War II: The German 11th Army begins Operation Trappenjagd (Bustard Hunt) and destroys the bridgehead of the three Soviet armies defending the Kerch Peninsula.

1942

World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea comes to an end with Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attackin

World War II: The Battle of the Coral Sea comes to an end with Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carrier aircraft attacking and sinking the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Lexington.

1941

World War II: The German Luftwaffe launches a bombing raid on Nottingham and Derby

World War II: The German Luftwaffe launches a bombing raid on Nottingham and Derby.

2022

Russo-Ukrainian War: United States President Joe Biden signs the 2022 Lend-Lease Act into law, a rebooted World War II-e

Russo-Ukrainian War: United States President Joe Biden signs the 2022 Lend-Lease Act into law, a rebooted World War II-era policy expediting American equipment to Ukraine and other Eastern European co�

1945

World War II: the Channel Islands are liberated from Nazi occupation

World War II: the Channel Islands are liberated from Nazi occupation.

1941

World War II: The German submarine U-110 is captured by the Royal Navy

World War II: The German submarine U-110 is captured by the Royal Navy. On board is the latest Enigma machine which Allied cryptographers later use to break coded German messages.

1918

World War I: Germany repels Britain's second attempt to blockade the port of Ostend, Belgium

World War I: Germany repels Britain's second attempt to blockade the port of Ostend, Belgium.

1915

World War I: Second Battle of Artois between German and French forces

World War I: Second Battle of Artois between German and French forces.

1987

Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II

Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II.

2013

One World Trade Center becomes the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere

One World Trade Center becomes the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

1942

World War II: The Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma Campaign

World War II: The Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma Campaign.

1941

World War II: The House of Commons in London is damaged by the Luftwaffe in an air raid

World War II: The House of Commons in London is damaged by the Luftwaffe in an air raid.

1941

World War II: Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland to try to negotiate a peace deal between the United Kingdom and Nazi

World War II: Rudolf Hess parachutes into Scotland to try to negotiate a peace deal between the United Kingdom and Nazi Germany.

1940

World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg

World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg.

1940

World War II: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the resignation of Neville C

World War II: Winston Churchill is appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain. On the same day, Germany invades France, The Netherlands, Belgium an�

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.