This Day in History: May 6

1954 Roger Bannister becomes the first person to run a mile in under 4 minutes

British athlete Roger Bannister achieved what many believed to be impossible at the time, running a mile in under 4 minutes. He completed the race in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds, breaking the record and paving the way for future athletes to push the limits of human endurance. The current record stands at 3:43.13, set by Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj in February 2014.

1994 The Channel Tunnel linking the United Kingdom with France is opened

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and French President François Mitterrand officially opened the Channel Tunnel, also known as the "Chunnel". The undersea tunnel stretches over 50 kilometers (31 miles) and is the longest undersea tunnel in the world, connecting the two countries and facilitating trade and travel between them.

1976 A massive earthquake hits northeast Italy

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck northeast Italy, resulting in the deaths of 939 people and leaving 157,000 homeless. This was the worst earthquake to ever hit Italy and left a lasting impact on the region.

2004 The final episode of Friends is aired

The popular American sitcom Friends, which had been on the air since 1994, aired its final episode titled "The Last One". The show followed the lives of a group of friends in New York City and became a cultural phenomenon, with the final episode being watched by 52 million viewers.

1937 The Hindenburg zeppelin filled with hydrogen goes up in flames

The Hindenburg, a massive German airship filled with highly flammable hydrogen, caught fire and crashed during a landing attempt in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The disaster claimed the lives of 35 people and marked the end of the era of zeppelin travel.

1626 Dutch colonist Peter Minuit organizes the purchase of Manhattan Island from Native Americans for 60 guilders worth of goods

Dutch colonist Peter Minuit organized the purchase of Manhattan Island from the Canarsee Indians of the Lenape tribe for 60 guilders worth of goods. This transaction is widely considered to be one of the most significant real estate deals in history and paved the way for the development of the modern-day New York City.

1840 World's first adhesive postage stamp, the "Penny Black", is first used in Great Britain

The first adhesive postage stamp, known as the "Penny Black", was introduced in Great Britain, revolutionizing the way people sent mail. The stamp featured a portrait of Queen Victoria and made it possible to send letters and packages at a standardized rate, regardless of distance.

1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris opens with the recently completed Eiffel Tower serving as the entrance arch

The Exposition Universelle, also known as the World's Fair, was held in Paris and showcased technological and cultural advancements from around the world. The recently completed Eiffel Tower served as the entrance arch and quickly became one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.