French author, critic
Danish author, poet
American singer-songwriter
Italian explorer, author
German painter, sculptor, poet
American painter, inventor, co-invented the Morse code
Portuguese director, screenwriter
Indian cricketer
Was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State
French politician, Prime Minister, President of France
Turkish forces under Sultan Mehmed II began the siege of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The siege lasted for over a month and ended on May 29 with the capture of the city, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León became the first known European to reach Florida and claimed it for Spain. He named it "La Florida," which means "Land of Flowers" in Spanish.
The Coinage Act was passed by the United States Congress, establishing the United States Mint and authorizing the production of various gold and silver coins, including the $10 Eagle, $5 half-Eagle, and 2.50 quarter-Eagle gold coins, as well as the silver dollar, ½ dollar, quarter, dime, and half-dime.
The German composer Ludwig van Beethoven conducted the premiere of his First Symphony, which was well-received by audiences and critics alike. The symphony marked a turning point in the history of Western classical music.
The British, led by Admiral Horatio Nelson, destroyed the Danish fleet in the naval Battle of Copenhagen during the Napoleonic Wars. The victory secured British control over the Baltic Sea and prevented the Danish fleet from falling into the hands of Napoleon's allies.
US President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, marking America's entry into World War I. The move was prompted by Germany's policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, which had resulted in the sinking of American merchant ships.
Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia, taking the name Haile Selassie. He was known for modernizing Ethiopia and leading the resistance against Italian invasion during World War II.
Several thousand Argentine troops seized the Falkland Islands from Great Britain, escalating a long-standing conflict over the archipelago in the South Atlantic. The invasion triggered the Falklands War, which resulted in a British victory.
The Israel Defense Force occupied Bethlehem in pursuit of wanted Palestinians, leading to a 39-day siege of the Church of the Nativity. The siege began after militants fled into the church, which is believed to stand on the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth.
According to the US Department of Labor, a record 6.6 million Americans filed claims for unemployment in the last week of March, following a surge in layoffs and business closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of claims reached 10 million over the course of two weeks.