2009 – The Sri Lankan Civil War ends
The 25-year conflict between the government and the separatist Tamil Tigers had claimed up to 100,000 lives. It ended with the Tigers' defeat.
1980 – Mount St. Helens erupts
The eruption killed 57 people. A large part of the previously cone-shaped volcano was replaced by a massive crater; its summit is now some 1300 feet (400 meters) lower than before the eruption.
1927 – 45 people die in the United States' worst school massacre
In the Bath school disaster, a disgruntled school board member set off several bombs at the Bath Consolidated School and other locations in Michigan.
1848 – The first German National Assembly gathers in Frankfurt
The assembly constituted the first freely elected parliament of Germany. It produced a constitution that provided the basis for today's constitution of Germany (Grundgesetz).
1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte is appointed Emperor of the French
Even today, the French leader, a native of Corsica, is widely known for his successful military campaigns - and his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
1920 – Pope John Paul II
1912 – Perry Como
American singer, actor
1897 – Frank Capra
Italian/American director, producer, screenwriter
1895 – Augusto César Sandino
Nicaraguan rebel leader
1868 – Nicholas II of Russia
2004 – Elvin Jones
American drummer
1955 – Mary McLeod Bethune
American educator, activist
1911 – Gustav Mahler
Austrian composer
1909 – Isaac Albéniz
Spanish pianist, composer
1799 – Pierre Beaumarchais
French playwright
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