May 30 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Today

Historical Events

2012

A man in Arizona was arrested for attacking his girlfriend with a taco

The 30-year-old man allegedly struck his girlfriend in the face with a bean burrito during an argument. He was charged with domestic violence, making...

2003

Finding Nemo premiered in theaters and became Pixar's highest-grossing film at the time

The animated tale of an overprotective clownfish earned $871 million worldwide and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It also inadverten...

1989

Tiananmen Square protests reached their peak with over one million demonstrators

Major

Students and workers filled the square in Beijing demanding democratic reforms. The protests would end in a violent military crackdown just days later...

1971

Mariner 9 was launched toward Mars, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit another planet

Major

The probe arrived at Mars in November 1971 and had to wait out a planet-wide dust storm before mapping the surface. It discovered Olympus Mons, the la...

1967

The Nigerian Civil War began when Biafra declared independence

Major

The secessionist state of Biafra broke away from Nigeria, sparking a brutal three-year conflict that resulted in over one million deaths, mostly from...

1966

Surveyor 1 became the first U.S. spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon

Major

The unmanned probe touched down in the Ocean of Storms and sent back over 11,000 photographs. This success proved that the lunar surface could support...

1959

The first hovercraft crossing of the English Channel took place

The SR.N1 hovercraft made the journey from England to France in just over 2 hours, with inventor Christopher Cockerell aboard. The achievement happene...

1922

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington D.C. with a crowd of 50,000

The ceremony was attended by President Warren G. Harding and Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln's only surviving son. The memorial took 8 years to b...

1911

The first Indianapolis 500 race was held, won at an average speed of 74.6 mph

Ray Harroun won the inaugural race in 6 hours and 42 minutes, averaging less than 75 mph. Modern Indy 500 winners average over 190 mph, meaning today'...

1908

Mel Blanc was born, the voice actor who would bring Bugs Bunny to life

Known as 'The Man of a Thousand Voices,' Blanc voiced nearly every major Looney Tunes character including Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Tweety Bird. He w...

1846

Peter Carl Fabergé was born, creator of the legendary jeweled eggs for Russian royalty

The Russian jeweler became famous for creating elaborate Easter eggs for the Tsars, with each egg containing a surprise. Of the 50 Imperial eggs creat...

1431

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen, France at age 19

Major

The French heroine who led troops to several victories during the Hundred Years' War was executed by the English for heresy and witchcraft. She was ca...

Fun Facts from May 30