Germany surrendered in WWII (1945), the Lusitania sank (1915), French forces were defeated in Dien Bien Phu (1954), Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiered (1824), AMA was founded (1847), Putin became president of Russia (2000), Herod the Great’s tomb was discovered (2007), Patrick Morrow climbed the Seven Summits (1986), Joan of Arc ended the siege of Orleans (1429), and David Hume was born (1711).
Germany signed an unconditional surrender, ending WWII in the West. (1945) The German High Command surrendered all German forces to Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower, essentially ending the war in the Western Theater. Fighting would go on in Asia for several months, until the war officially ended in September.
The Lusitania sank. (1915) German forces sank the Lusitania, a British passenger liner, on this day, killing nearly 2,000 civilians. The incident caused massive outrage in many countries and played a huge role in swinging US public opinion towards involvement in World War I.
French forces were overrun at Dien Bien Phu. (1954) This was a shocking turn for many in the West, who had viewed the Viet Minh as a lesser threat. This marked the end of French involvement in Vietnam and the beginning of serious US involvement in the war.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony premiered in Vienna. (1824) Best known for the last movement, Ode to Joy, Symphony No. 9 in D minor had its world premiere in Vienna on this day. Firsthand accounts say that when it was finished, Beethoven continued to conduct and had to be turned around to see the enthusiastic applause of the audience, which gave five standing ovations.
The American Medical Society (AMA) is founded. (1847) The AMA was founded by Dr. Nathan Smith Davis who felt the need for clearer standards for physicians in the United States. The AMA has grown into the largest medical association in the United States and publishes hundreds of guidelines for physicians, as well as several medical journals.
Vladimir Putin became the president of Russia. (2000) Putin served eight years as president, and is credited with bringing Russia back from the brink of economic collapse.
Tomb of Herod the Great discovered. (2007) Herod the Great was a controversial leader even in his day, and was best known for killing potential enemies, most famously in a Biblical account in which he had a number of children killed in hopes of killing a young Jesus. Archaeologists of Hebrew University discovered the site, even though it had apparently been robbed: there was a sarcophagus, but no bodies.
Canadian Patrick Morrow became the first person to climb the “Seven Summits”. (1986) The Seven Peaks are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents and include Mount Kilimanjaro and Everest. Morrow finished climbing Puncak Jaya, located in Indonesia, on this day, making him the first to climb all seven.
Joan of Arc ended the siege of Orleans. (1429) It was a huge turning point in the Hundred Years War, a feat made all the more impressive since she did it while she was wounded. Earlier in the battle, Joan had been shot in the shoulder with an arrow; she just pulled her out and she continued to lead the fight.
David Hume is born. (1711) Hume was a major force during the Enlightenment and in philosophy generally. He was a famous skeptic and is known to have influenced Rousseau, the economist Adam Smith and Immanuel Kant.
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