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On This Day In History

24th May 1956: 1st Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Switzerland

On the 24th May 1956, the first Eurovision Song Contest took place in Lugano, Switzerland.

Tomorrow's historical event

25th May 1977: The first Star Wars film is released in cinemas

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23rd May 1618: Officials thrown from a window in the Second Defenestration of Prague

Two Catholic imperial officials and their secretary were thrown out of the window of the Bohemian Chancellery in the Second Defenestration of Prague. Read More

Podcast

22nd May 1455: Wars of the Roses begin at the Battle of St Albans

The 22nd May 1455 marked the start of the Wars of the Roses, when the First Battle of St Albans was fought between Richard, Duke of York, and King Henry VI. Read More

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21st May 1972: Laszlo Toth attacks and seriously damages Michelangelo’s Pietà statue

Hungarian-born geologist Laszlo Toth attacked and seriously damaged Michelangelo’s Pietà statue with a hammer. Read More

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20th May 1873: Levi Strauss & Co. patent riveted blue jeans

On the 20th May 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis secured the patent for riveted blue jeans. Read More

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19th May 1919: Mustafa Kemal arrives in Samsun and begins the Turkish War of Independence

The Turkish War of Independence began when General Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the Inspector of the Ottoman 9th Army and later known as Atatürk, arrived at the town of Samsun on the Black Sea Coast. Read More

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18th May 1291: Siege of Acre signals end of Crusader influence

On the 18th May 1291, the Crusader-controlled city of Acre was seized by the Muslim forces of the Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Khalil. Read More

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17th May 1943: Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron carries out the ‘Dambusters’ raids

Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron attacked German dams in Operation Chastise, otherwise known as the Dambuster Raids. Read More

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