This Day in History: May 25

1720 Europe's last major plague outbreak reaches Marseille

The Ship "Le Grand St Antoine" reached Marseille, bringing with it the deadly bubonic plague that killed around 100,000 people in the region. The outbreak led to the implementation of quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

1810 Buenos Aires citizens expel Spanish Viceroy during Semana de Mayo

The May Revolution in Buenos Aires, Argentina, marked the beginning of the country's struggle for independence from Spain. The citizens of Buenos Aires expelled Spanish Viceroy Cisneros during Semana de Mayo, a week-long series of events that ultimately led to the establishment of the first local government in the city.

1914 British House of Commons passes the Irish Home Rule Bill

The Irish Home Rule Bill, which aimed to give Ireland limited self-government within the United Kingdom, was passed by the British House of Commons. However, the bill was suspended due to the outbreak of World War I, and the issue of Irish independence continued to be a source of conflict in the years that followed.

1961 JFK announces US goal of putting a man on the Moon before the end of the decade

In a speech to Congress, President John F. Kennedy announced the ambitious goal of sending a man to the Moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. The goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when NASA's Apollo 11 mission successfully landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin on the Moon.

1963 32 African countries form a coalition against white rule

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was founded by 32 African countries to promote decolonization and end white minority governments in Africa. The OAU played a key role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa and was replaced by the African Union in 2002.

1977 First Star Wars film is released

The epic space opera created by George Lucas became a pop culture phenomenon and has remained one of the most popular and influential movie franchises of all time.

1979 American Airlines flight 191 crashes; Etan Patz disappears

American Airlines flight 191 crashed shortly after takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, killing all 258 people on board. The accident was caused by a malfunction in the aircraft's engine pylon. Also in 1979, 6-year-old Etan Patz disappeared from New York City, and his case helped spark the missing children's movement.

2002 China Airlines jumbo jet breaks apart in mid-air due to improper repairs

A China Airlines Boeing 747 crashed into the Taiwan Strait, killing all 225 people on board. The accident was caused by improper repairs that had been made 22 years earlier, and the aircraft was far beyond its recommended service life.

2020 George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis police custody ignites nationwide protests

A video showing the murder of African American George Floyd while restrained in Minneapolis police custody went viral, igniting widespread condemnation and nationwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism. The officer responsible for Floyd's death, Derek Chauvin, was convicted of murder and manslaughter in April 2021.