TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

1945

President Harry S. Truman announced on radio that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe.”

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1541

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River.

1846

The first major battle of the Mexican-American War was fought at Palo Alto, Texas; U.S. forces led by Gen. Zachary Taylor were able to beat back Mexican forces.

1958

Vice President Richard Nixon was shoved, stoned, booed and spat upon by anti-American protesters in Lima, Peru.

1970

Anti-war protests took place across the United States and around the world; in New York, construction workers broke up a demonstration on Wall Street.

1973

Militant American Indians who had held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrendered.

1978

David R. Berkowitz pleaded guilty in a Brooklyn courtroom to murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the “Son of Sam” shootings that claimed six lives and terrified New Yorkers.

1984

The Soviet Union announced it would boycott the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

1987

Gary Hart, dogged by questions about his personal life, including his relationship with Miami model Donna Rice, withdrew from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

1993

The Muslim-led government of Bosnia-Herzegovina and rebel Bosnian Serbs signed an agreement for a nationwide cease-fire.