TODAY IN HISTORY

1541

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached what became known as 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.

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.”

1972

President Richard Nixon announced that he had ordered the mining of Haiphong Harbor during the Vietnam War.

1973

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

1996

South Africa took another step from apartheid to democracy by adopting a constitution, which guaranteed equal rights for Blacks and Whites.