Today:
1429 – Joan of Arc leads French forces in lifting the siege of Orléans, marking a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.
1664 – King Louis XIV of France inaugurates the Palace of Versailles as his official residence.
1824 – Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is premiered in Vienna, Austria.
1832 – The Treaty of London establishes the independent Kingdom of Greece.
1915 – The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people.
1920 – Soviet Russia recognizes the independence of the Democratic Republic of Georgia.
1945 – Nazi Germany signs an unconditional surrender at Reims, France, effectively ending World War II in Europe (Victory in Europe or VE Day to be celebrated the next day).
1954 – The Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends in Vietnam, marking a decisive victory for the Viet Minh over French forces.
1992 – The space shuttle Endeavour lifts off on its maiden voyage (STS-49 mission).
2000 – Vladimir Putin is inaugurated as president of Russia for the first time.