Today:
558 – The dome of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople collapses and is rebuilt by order of Emperor Justinian I.
1274 – In France, the Second Council of Lyon opens to regulate papal elections.
1429 – Joan of Arc ends the siege of Orléans, leading French forces to victory.
1664 – King Louis XIV of France inaugurates the Palace of Versailles as his principal residence.
1824 – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 premieres in Vienna.
1915 – The RMS Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat, killing 1,198 people.
1945 – Germany signs an unconditional surrender at Reims, effectively ending World War II in Europe (Victory in Europe Day is May 8).
1954 – The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends with the fall of the French garrison, marking the end of French Indochina.
1992 – Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on its maiden voyage (STS-49).
2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia for the first time.