Today in History: Republic of Biafra Proclaimed

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on May 30 throughout history:

1431: Joan of Arc Burned at the Stake – French heroine Joan of Arc, aged 19, was burned at the stake in Rouen, France, after being convicted of heresy by an English-dominated tribunal.

1814: Treaty of Paris Signed – The first of the Treaties of Paris was signed, formally ending the Napoleonic Wars between France and the Sixth Coalition, leading to Napoleon Bonaparte’s exile to Elba.

1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act Passed – The United States Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed settlers in the new territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery, intensifying the debate over slavery and contributing to the American Civil War.

1911: First Indianapolis 500 Held – The inaugural Indianapolis 500 automobile race was held in Speedway, Indiana, with Ray Harroun winning the 500-mile event. It has since become one of the most prestigious motor racing events globally.

1925: May Thirtieth Movement in China – The Shanghai Municipal Police Force shot and killed 13 protesting workers, sparking widespread anti-imperialist demonstrations and strikes across China, known as the May Thirtieth Movement.

1942: Britain’s First “1,000 Bomber Raid” on Cologne – During World War II, the British Royal Air Force launched “Operation Millennium,” the first “1,000 bomber raid” on Cologne, Germany, causing widespread destruction and significant casualties.

1961: Dominican Dictator Rafael Trujillo Assassinated – Rafael Trujillo, who had ruled the Dominican Republic with an iron fist for 31 years, was assassinated, marking an end to his oppressive regime.

1962: Adolf Eichmann Executed in Israel – Adolf Eichmann, a prominent Nazi official responsible for orchestrating the “Final Solution” during the Holocaust, was hanged in Israel after being found guilty of crimes against humanity.

1967: Republic of Biafra Proclaimed – The Republic of Biafra was proclaimed, seceding from Nigeria and triggering the Nigerian Civil War, which lasted until 1970.

2011: Germany Announces Nuclear Energy Phase-Out – Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, the German government announced its decision to abandon nuclear energy, accelerating the country’s transition to renewable energy sources.