On This Day in History — May 25

Highlights of May 25

• 2020 — George Floyd, a black American man, was murdered (memorial pictured) during an arrest by a white police officer in Minneapolis, sparking protests in the U.S. and other countries. Read more
• 2013 — Naxalite insurgents of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) attacked a convoy of Indian National Congress leaders in the state of Chhattisgarh, causing at least 27 deaths. Read more
• 2012 — In a test flight, SpaceX's Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station. Read more
• 2011 — The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest-rated daytime talk show in U.S. television history, hosted by Oprah Winfrey (pictured), was broadcast. Read more
• 2009 — North Korea conducted a nuclear test and several other missile tests that were widely condemned internationally and led to sanctions from the United Nations Security Council. Read more
• 1979 — Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became one of the first missing children to have his picture featured on milk cartons. Read more
• 1979 — During takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, an engine detached from American Airlines Flight 191, causing a crash that killed 273 people in the deadliest aviation accident in United States history. Read more
• 1971 — Joetha Collier, a recent high school graduate, was killed in Drew, Mississippi, in a case that attracted widespread attention from civil rights activists. Read more
• 1967 — Having purged a group of rivals, Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Il Sung delivered the "May 25 teaching", entrenching his son Kim Jong Il as his designated successor. Read more
• 1962 — The Baltimore Steam Packet Company, the last overnight steamboat service in the United States, went out of business. Read more
• 1961 — In an address to Congress, U.S. president John F. Kennedy announced his support for the Apollo program, with "the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth". Read more
• 1961 — A fire broke out at a squatter settlement in Bukit Ho Swee, Singapore, rendering approximately 16,000 people homeless. Read more
• 1955 — Joe Brown and George Band, members of the British Kangchenjunga expedition, made the first ascent of the world's third-highest mountain but deliberately did not set foot on the summit. Read more
• 1944 — The Wehrmacht and their collaborationist allies launched Operation Rösselsprung, a failed attempt to assassinate the Yugoslav Partisan leader Josip Broz Tito. Read more
• 1940 — Second World War: German troops captured Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, forcing British forces to evacuate via Dunkirk. Read more
• 1936 — Employees of the Remington Rand company began an 11-month strike action, during which time the company executives developed the notorious "Mohawk Valley formula" to intimidate the strikers. Read more
• 1895 — Oscar Wilde was sentenced by Alfred Wills to two years of hard labor for gross indecency. Read more
• 1878 — Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore (poster featured) premiered at the Opera Comique in London. Read more
• 1816 — The poems Kubla Khan and Christabel by English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge were published. Read more
• 1810 — The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, marking the end of the May Revolution. Read more
• 1787 — The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia with the intention of revising the Articles of Confederation of the United States. Read more
• 1782 — American Revolutionary War: US Colonel William Crawford began a failed expedition to destroy British-allied American Indian towns along the Sandusky River in the Ohio Country. Read more
• 1644 — Ming–Qing transition: Ming general Wu Sangui allowed the invading Manchu to cross the Great Wall of China, enabling them to capture Beijing and establish the Qing dynasty. Read more

Events

• 2018 — The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) becomes enforceable in the European Union. Read more
• 2018 — Ireland votes to repeal the Eighth Amendment of their constitution that prohibits abortion in all but a few cases, choosing to replace it with the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland. Read more
• 2013 — Suspected Maoist rebels kill at least 28 people and injure 32 others in an attack on a convoy of Indian National Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh, India. Read more
• 2012 — The SpaceX Dragon 1 becomes the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station. Read more
• 2011 — Oprah Winfrey airs her last show, ending her 25-year run of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Read more
• 2009 — North Korea allegedly tests its second nuclear device, after which Pyongyang also conducts several missile tests, building tensions in the international community. Read more
• 2008 — NASA's Phoenix lander touches down in the Green Valley region of Mars to search for environments suitable for water and microbial life. Read more
• 2002 — China Airlines Flight 611 disintegrates in mid-air and crashes into the Taiwan Strait, with the loss of all 225 people on board. Read more
• 2001 — Erik Weihenmayer becomes the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, in the Himalayas, with Dr. Sherman Bull. Read more
• 2000 — Liberation Day of Lebanon: Israel withdraws its army from Lebanese territory (with the exception of the disputed Shebaa farms zone) 18 years after the invasion of 1982. Read more
• 1999 — The United States House of Representatives releases the Cox Report which details China's nuclear espionage against the U.S. over the prior two decades. Read more
• 1997 — A military coup in Sierra Leone replaces President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah with Major Johnny Paul Koroma. Read more
• 1986 — The Hands Across America event takes place. Read more
• 1985 — Bangladesh is hit by a tropical cyclone and storm surge, which kills approximately 10,000 people. Read more
• 1982 — Falklands War: HMS Coventry is sunk by Argentine Air Force A-4 Skyhawks. Read more
• 1981 — In Riyadh, the Gulf Cooperation Council is created between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Read more
• 1979 — John Spenkelink, a convicted murderer, is executed in Florida; he is the first person to be executed in the state after the reintroduction of capital punishment in 1976. Read more
• 1979 — American Airlines Flight 191: A McDonnell Douglas DC-10 crashes during takeoff at O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, killing all 271 on board and two people on the ground. Read more
• 1978 — The first of a series of bombings orchestrated by the Unabomber detonates at Northwestern University resulting in minor injuries. Read more
• 1977 — Star Wars (retroactively titled Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) is released in US theaters. Read more
• 1977 — The Chinese government removes a decade-old ban on William Shakespeare's work, effectively ending the Cultural Revolution started in 1966. Read more
• 1973 — In protest against the dictatorship in Greece, the captain and crew on Greek naval destroyer Velos mutiny and refuse to return to Greece, instead anchoring at Fiumicino, Italy. Read more
• 1971 — Joetha Collier, a recent high school graduate, is killed in a shooting in Drew, Mississippi, attracting extensive attention from the media and civil rights activists. Read more
• 1968 — The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, is dedicated. Read more
• 1966 — Explorer program: Explorer 32 launches. Read more
• 1963 — The Organisation of African Unity is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Read more
• 1961 — Apollo program: U.S. President John F. Kennedy announces, before a special joint session of the U.S. Congress, that the United States "should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth." Read more
• 1955 — In the United States, a night-time F5 tornado strikes the small city of Udall, Kansas as part of a larger outbreak across the Great Plains, killing 80 and injuring 273. It is the deadliest tornado ever to occur in the state and the 23rd deadliest in the U.S. Read more
• 1955 — First ascent of Mount Kangchenjunga: On the British Kangchenjunga expedition led by Charles Evans, Joe Brown and George Band reach the summit of the third-highest mountain in the world (8,586 meters); Norman Hardie and Tony Streather join them the following day. Read more
• 1953 — Nuclear weapons testing: At the Nevada Test Site, the United States conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test. Read more
• 1953 — The first public television station in the United States officially begins broadcasting as KUHT from the campus of the University of Houston. Read more
• 1946 — The Emirate of Transjordan becomes independent from the United Kingdom as the Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan after ratifying the Treaty of London and making their Amir, Abdullah I, their King. Read more
• 1940 — World War II: The German 2nd Panzer Division captures the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; the surrender of the last French and British troops marks the end of the Battle of Boulogne. Read more
• 1938 — Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. Read more
• 1935 — Jesse Owens of Ohio State University breaks three world records and ties a fourth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Field Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Read more
• 1933 — The Walt Disney Company cartoon Three Little Pigs premieres at Radio City Music Hall, featuring the hit song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" Read more
• 1926 — Sholom Schwartzbard assassinates Symon Petliura, the head of the government of the Ukrainian People's Republic, which is in government-in-exile in Paris. Read more
• 1925 — Scopes Trial: John T. Scopes is indicted for teaching human evolution in Tennessee. Read more
• 1914 — The House of Commons of the United Kingdom passes the Home Rule Bill for devolution in Ireland. Read more
• 1895 — Playwright, poet and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison. Read more
• 1895 — The Republic of Formosa is formed, with Tang Jingsong as its president. Read more
• 1878 — Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore opens at the Opera Comique in London. Read more
• 1865 — In Mobile, Alabama, around 300 people are killed when an ordnance depot explodes. Read more
• 1833 — The Chilean Constitution of 1833 is promulgated. Read more
• 1819 — The Argentine Constitution of 1819 is promulgated. Read more
• 1810 — May Revolution: Citizens of Buenos Aires expel Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros during the "May Week", starting the Argentine War of Independence. Read more
• 1809 — Chuquisaca Revolution: Patriot revolt in Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre) against the Spanish Empire, sparking the Latin American wars of independence. Read more
• 1807 — Outbreak of the Kabakçı Mustafa rebellion in response to intentions of sultan Selim III to reform the Ottoman army. Read more
• 1798 — United Irishmen Rebellion: Battle of Carlow begins; executions of suspected rebels at Carnew and at Dunlavin Green take place. Read more
• 1787 — After a delay of 11 days, the United States Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after a quorum of seven states is secured. Read more
• 1763 — First issue of Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler, the first regular Norwegian newspaper (1763–1920). Read more
• 1738 — A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with settlement of a boundary dispute and exchange of prisoners. Read more
• 1660 — Charles II lands at Dover at the invitation of the Convention Parliament, which marks the end of the Cromwell-proclaimed Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland and begins the Restoration of the British monarchy. Read more
• 1659 — Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth of England. Read more
• 1644 — Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing. Read more
• 1521 — The Diet of Worms ends when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw. Read more
• 1420 — Henry the Navigator is appointed governor of the Order of Christ. Read more
• 1085 — Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors after a siege. Read more
• 240 BC — First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Read more
• 567 BC — Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans. Read more

Born on May 25

• 2002 — Cam Ward, American football player Read more
• 2001 — Chloé Lukasiak, American actress and dancer Read more
• 2000 — Claire Liu, American tennis player Read more
• 1999 — Brec Bassinger, American actress Read more
• 1999 — Ibrahima Konaté, French footballer Read more
• 1996 — David Pastrňák, Czech ice hockey player Read more
• 1995 — Kagiso Rabada, South African cricketer Read more
• 1994 — Matt Murray, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1994 — Aly Raisman, American gymnast Read more
• 1993 — James Porter, English cricketer Read more
• 1993 — Norman Powell, American basketball player Read more
• 1990 — Bo Dallas, American wrestler Read more
• 1990 — Nikita Filatov, Russian ice hockey player Read more
• 1988 — Dávid Škutka, Slovak footballer Read more
• 1988 — Cameron van der Burgh, South African swimmer Read more
• 1987 — Timothy Derijck, Belgian footballer Read more
• 1987 — Yves De Winter, Belgian footballer Read more
• 1987 — Moritz Stehling, German footballer Read more
• 1987 — Kamil Stoch, Polish ski jumper Read more
• 1986 — Edewin Fanini, Brazilian footballer Read more
• 1986 — Yoan Gouffran, French footballer Read more
• 1986 — Takahiro Hōjō, Japanese actor and musician Read more
• 1986 — Geraint Thomas, Welsh cyclist Read more
• 1985 — Luciana Abreu, Portuguese singer and actress Read more
• 1985 — Demba Ba, Senegalese footballer Read more
• 1985 — Gert Kams, Estonian footballer Read more
• 1985 — Roman Reigns, American football player and wrestler Read more
• 1984 — Luke Ball, Australian footballer Read more
• 1984 — Kyle Brodziak, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1984 — A. J. Foyt IV, American race car driver Read more
• 1984 — Shawne Merriman, American football player Read more
• 1982 — Adam Boyd, English footballer Read more
• 1982 — Daniel Braaten, Norwegian footballer Read more
• 1982 — Ryan Gallant, American skateboarder Read more
• 1982 — Roger Guerreiro, Polish footballer Read more
• 1982 — Justin Hodges, Australian rugby league player Read more
• 1982 — Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenyan runner Read more
• 1982 — Jason Kubel, American baseball player Read more
• 1982 — Stacey Pensgen, American figure skater and meteorologist Read more
• 1982 — Luke Webster, Australian footballer Read more

Died on May 25

• 2026 — Sonny Rollins, American jazz musician (born 1930) Read more
• 2024 — Grayson Murray, American professional golfer (born 1993) Read more
• 2024 — Albert S. Ruddy, Canadian film producer (born 1930) Read more
• 2024 — Richard M. Sherman, American songwriter (born 1928) Read more
• 2024 — Johnny Wactor, American actor (born 1986) Read more
• 2023 — Joy McKean, Australian country music singer-songwriter (born 1930) Read more
• 2022 — Morton L. Janklow, American literary agent (born 1930) Read more
• 2021 — John Warner, American attorney and politician (born 1927) Read more
• 2021 — Lois Ehlert, American author and illustrator (born 1934) Read more
• 2020 — George Floyd, African American man murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (born 1973) Read more
• 2019 — Claus von Bülow, Danish-British socialite (born 1926) Read more
• 2018 — Kaduvetti Guru, Indian politician and Veera Vanniyar caste leader (born 1961) Read more
• 2015 — George Braden, Canadian lawyer and politician, 2nd Premier of the Northwest Territories (born 1949) Read more
• 2015 — Robert Lebel, Canadian bishop (born 1924) Read more
• 2014 — David Allen, English cricketer (born 1935) Read more
• 2014 — Marcel Côté, Canadian economist and politician (born 1942) Read more
• 2014 — Wojciech Jaruzelski, Polish general and politician, 1st President of Poland (born 1923) Read more
• 2014 — Herb Jeffries, American singer and actor (born 1913) Read more
• 2014 — Toaripi Lauti, Tuvaluan educator and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Tuvalu (born 1928) Read more
• 2014 — Matthew Saad Muhammad, American boxer and trainer (born 1954) Read more
• 2013 — Mahendra Karma, Indian politician (born 1950) Read more
• 2013 — Nand Kumar Patel, Indian politician (born 1953) Read more
• 2012 — William Hanley, American author and screenwriter (born 1931) Read more
• 2012 — Peter D. Sieruta, American author and critic (born 1958) Read more
• 2012 — Lou Watson, American basketball player and coach (born 1924) Read more
• 2011 — Terry Jenner, Australian cricketer and coach (born 1944) Read more
• 2010 — Alexander Belostenny, Ukrainian basketball player (born 1959) Read more
• 2010 — Michael H. Jordan, American businessman (born 1936) Read more
• 2010 — Alan Hickinbotham, Australian footballer and coach (born 1925) Read more
• 2010 — Gabriel Vargas, Mexican painter and illustrator (born 1915) Read more
• 2010 — Jarvis Williams, American football player and coach (born 1965) Read more
• 2009 — Haakon Lie, Norwegian politician (born 1905) Read more
• 2008 — J. R. Simplot, American businessman, founded Simplot (born 1909) Read more
• 2008 — Veikko Uusimäki, Finnish actor and theater councilor (born 1921) Read more
• 2007 — Charles Nelson Reilly, American actor, comedian, and director (born 1931) Read more
• 2007 — Uładzimir Katkoŭski, Belarusian blogger, web designer and website creator (born 1976) Read more
• 2005 — Sunil Dutt, Indian actor, director, producer, and politician (born 1929) Read more
• 2005 — Robert Jankel, English businessman, founded Panther Westwinds (born 1938) Read more
• 2005 — Graham Kennedy, Australian television host and actor (born 1934) Read more
• 2005 — Ismail Merchant, Indian-born film producer and director (born 1936) Read more

Holidays & observances

Africa Day (African Union); African Liberation Day (African Union, Rastafari); Christian feast day: Aldhelm; Christian feast day: Bede; Christian feast day: Canius; Christian feast day: Cristóbal Magallanes; Christian feast day: Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa; Christian feast day: Dionysius of Milan; Christian feast day: Dúnchad mac Cinn Fáelad; Christian feast day: Gerard of Lunel; Christian feast day: Madeleine Sophie Barat; Christian feast day: Mary Magdalene de Pazzi; Christian feast day: Maximus (Mauxe) of Évreux; Christian feast day: Pope Gregory VII; Christian feast day: Zenobius of Florence; Christian feast day: May 25 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); First National Government / National Day (Argentina); Geek Pride Day (geek culture); Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Jordan from the United Kingdom in 1946.; Last bell (Russia, post-Soviet countries); Liberation Day (Lebanon); International Missing Children's Day and its related observances: National Missing Children's Day (United States),; National Tap Dance Day (United States); Towel Day in honour of the work of the writer Douglas Adams

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