A suicide bombing occurred at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena, killing 22 people and injuring hundreds. It was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the UK in recent history.
📍 Manchester, United Kingdom
SpaceX launched its first commercial mission to the International Space Station with the Dragon spacecraft aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, marking a new era in private-sector space exploration.
📍 Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States
David Fincher’s *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* received widespread acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival and was awarded the Palme d’Or. The film explored aging and time through a reverse-life narrative.
📍 Cannes, France
The United Nations proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological Diversity to promote understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues globally. It coincides with the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
📍 United Nations Headquarters, New York
Germany formally recognized the independence of Croatia and Slovenia, newly sovereign states emerging from the dissolution of Yugoslavia. It was a pivotal moment in Europe's post-Cold War realignment.
📍 Berlin, Germany
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina became a member of the United Nations. The admission occurred amid rising ethnic conflict that would escalate into a devastating war.
📍 New York, United States
North Yemen and South Yemen officially unified to form the Republic of Yemen. The event was hailed as a hopeful milestone for Arab unity, although future instability would challenge the merger.
📍 Sanaa, Yemen
Following the unification of North and South Yemen, the Republic of Yemen joined the United Nations along with Djibouti. The admission symbolized international recognition of new states in a changing geopolitical climate.
📍 New York, United States
The Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) was established to promote educational, scientific, and cultural cooperation among Islamic countries, supporting modernization and identity.
📍 Rabat, Morocco
Two days after its catastrophic eruption, Mount St. Helens was declared stable by U.S. Geological Survey officials. The eruption killed 57 people and caused widespread destruction across Washington State.
📍 Washington, United States
Sri Lanka adopted a new constitution and formally became a republic, changing its name from Ceylon and ending its status as a British dominion. The move asserted full national sovereignty.
📍 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Langston Hughes, one of the most influential poets of the Harlem Renaissance and a voice for African American culture, passed away. His work explored race, identity, and social justice in America.
📍 New York City, United States
The U.S. Navy formally commissioned the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. It revolutionized naval warfare and marked a major leap in Cold War military technology.
📍 Groton, Connecticut, United States
The Indian government formally annexed the princely state of Hyderabad after a brief military operation known as Operation Polo. This solidified India's territorial integrity post-independence.
📍 Hyderabad, India
The Wright brothers received U.S. Patent No. 821,393 for their invention of a flying machine. The patent secured their status as aviation pioneers and laid the legal foundation for modern flight.
📍 Washington, D.C., United States
The inaugural modern Olympic Games concluded in Athens, marking the revival of the ancient tradition and establishing the Olympics as a global sporting event. Thirteen nations participated.
📍 Athens, Greece
Oscar Wilde, the famed Irish playwright and poet, was convicted of 'gross indecency' due to his homosexual relationships and sentenced to two years’ hard labor. The trial became a symbol of injustice and societal prejudice.
📍 London, England
Victor Hugo, one of France’s greatest literary figures and author of *Les Misérables* and *The Hunchback of Notre-Dame*, died in Paris. Over two million people attended his national funeral procession.
📍 Paris, France
The Great Reform Act was passed by the British Parliament, expanding voting rights and redrawing electoral districts. It marked a major step toward democratization in the UK’s political system.
📍 London, United Kingdom
A powerful earthquake struck the Calabria region of southern Italy, killing over 50,000 people and reshaping the regional landscape. It remains one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in European history.
📍 Calabria, Italy