1429
War & Conflict
Joan of Arc Lifts Siege of Orleans
Joan of Arc led the French army to victory, lifting the English siege of Orleans. The stunning victory was the first major French success in the Hundred Years' War in years.
On This Day in History
1541
Exploration
Hernando de Soto Discovers the Mississippi River
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto became the first European to document the Mississippi River. He crossed it near present-day Memphis, Tennessee, during his expedition through the Southeast.
1886
Invention
Coca-Cola First Sold
Pharmacist John Pemberton first sold Coca-Cola at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. The beverage, originally marketed as a patent medicine, would become the world's most popular soft drink.
1945
War & Conflict
V-E Day: Victory in Europe
The Allies formally accepted Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender, ending World War II in Europe. Celebrations erupted across the Allied nations as church bells rang and crowds filled the streets.
1970
Civil Rights
Hard Hat Riot in New York City
Construction workers attacked anti-Vietnam War protesters near City Hall in New York. The 'Hard Hat Riot' illustrated the deep divisions in American society over the Vietnam War.
1973
Civil Rights
Wounded Knee Occupation Ends
The 71-day occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota, by members of the American Indian Movement ended. The standoff drew attention to conditions on Native American reservations.
1984
Sports
Soviet Union Boycotts Los Angeles Olympics
The Soviet Union announced it would boycott the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The boycott was widely seen as retaliation for the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics.