The United Nations designated May 29 as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, honoring those who have served and sacrificed in peacekeeping operations around the world since 1948.
đź“Ť New York City, United States
A wall collapsed at Heysel Stadium in Brussels during the European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus, killing 39 people. The tragedy led to a ban on English clubs from European competitions.
đź“Ť Brussels, Belgium
The National Gallery of Art celebrated its 100 millionth visitor, underscoring its role as one of the world’s most visited and accessible cultural institutions dedicated to visual arts and public education.
đź“Ť Washington, D.C., United States
Europe’s first commercial solar power plant began operations in Adrano, Sicily. This pioneering project marked an early milestone in the continent’s shift toward renewable energy sources.
đź“Ť Adrano, Sicily, Italy
Astronomers published the first observations of gravitational lensing, confirming predictions from Einstein’s general theory of relativity. This discovery revolutionized astrophysics and cosmology.
đź“Ť Pasadena, California, United States
The first product with a barcode was scanned in a retail store: a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum in Ohio. This marked the beginning of automated checkout systems and transformed global retail operations.
đź“Ť Troy, Ohio, United States
Entertainer Bob Hope received the Congressional Gold Medal for his contributions to American morale through his decades-long support of U.S. troops during wartime. He became a cultural icon of the 20th century.
đź“Ť Washington, D.C., United States
A French referendum paved the way for Charles de Gaulle to draft a new constitution, leading to the establishment of the Fifth Republic. This drastically changed France’s political system with a stronger executive branch.
đź“Ť Paris, France
The Soviet Union successfully launched its first submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), intensifying the nuclear arms race and expanding second-strike capabilities during the Cold War.
đź“Ť Barents Sea, USSR
The Lockheed U-2, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, made its first successful flight. The plane became crucial during the Cold War for gathering intelligence, including during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
đź“Ť Groom Lake, Nevada, United States
New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. The feat was celebrated as a landmark achievement in exploration.
📍 Mount Everest, Nepal–China border
Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian citizen to travel to space, was born. He later flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984 and became a national hero in India.
đź“Ť Patiala, India
On the path to becoming a republic, Italy held a national referendum that led to the abolition of its monarchy. It marked a turning point in post-war Europe and modern Italian democracy.
đź“Ť Rome, Italy
The Statute of the International Court of Justice was adopted as part of the United Nations Charter. It became the principal judicial organ of the UN, resolving legal disputes between states.
đź“Ť San Francisco, United States
The first regular international passenger airline service in Britain began with flights between London and Paris. This marked a new era in civil aviation and commercial air travel.
đź“Ť London, United Kingdom
John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. His leadership during the Cold War and assassination in 1963 left a lasting impact on global politics.
đź“Ť Brookline, Massachusetts, United States
Wisconsin was officially admitted to the Union as the 30th U.S. state. The state’s entry furthered westward expansion during a period of rapid national growth and political change.
đź“Ť Washington, D.C., United States
Patrick Henry gave a powerful speech in the Virginia House of Burgesses, challenging the British Stamp Act and urging colonial resistance. His words became a rallying cry for American independence.
đź“Ť Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
Following the English Civil War and Oliver Cromwell’s Protectorate, Charles II was restored as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Restoration marked the return of monarchy and royalist traditions.
đź“Ť London, England
The Ottoman Empire captured Constantinople, ending the Byzantine Empire. The fall of the city marked a major turning point in world history and symbolized the rise of the Ottoman Turks as a dominant power.
đź“Ť Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), Turkey