HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY

On This Day in History

Discover key historical events within the Genesis range (1950–2049) that occurred on this calendar day, and claim their commemorative registry plaques.

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Historical chronology for May 25

May 25

13 historical milestones registered between 1950 and 2049

May 25, 1955 AVAILABLE

Joe Brown and George Band, members of the British Kangchenjunga expedition, made the first ascent of the world's third-highest mountain but deliberately did not set foot on the summit.

Wikipedia: Joe Brown (climber)
Joe Brown (climber)
May 25, 1961 AVAILABLE

In an address to Congress, U.S. president John F. Kennedy announced his support for the Apollo program, with "the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth".

Wikipedia: Joint session of the United States Congress
Joint session of the United States Congress
May 25, 1961 AVAILABLE

A fire broke out at a squatter settlement in Bukit Ho Swee, Singapore, rendering approximately 16,000 people homeless.

Wikipedia: Bukit Ho Swee fire
Bukit Ho Swee fire
May 25, 1962 AVAILABLE

The Baltimore Steam Packet Company, the last overnight steamboat service in the United States, went out of business.

Wikipedia: Baltimore Steam Packet Company
Baltimore Steam Packet Company
May 25, 1967 AVAILABLE

Having purged a group of rivals, Supreme Leader of North Korea Kim Il Sung delivered the "May 25 teaching", entrenching his son Kim Jong Il as his designated successor.

Wikipedia: Kapsan faction incident
Kapsan faction incident
May 25, 1971 AVAILABLE

Joetha Collier, a recent high school graduate, was killed in Drew, Mississippi, in a case that attracted widespread attention from civil rights activists.

Wikipedia: Killing of Joetha Collier
Killing of Joetha Collier
May 25, 1979 AVAILABLE

Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became one of the first missing children to have his picture featured on milk cartons.

Wikipedia: Disappearance of Etan Patz
Disappearance of Etan Patz
May 25, 1979 AVAILABLE

During takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, an engine detached from American Airlines Flight 191, causing a crash that killed 273 people in the deadliest aviation accident in United States history.

Wikipedia: O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
May 25, 2009 AVAILABLE

North Korea conducted a nuclear test and several other missile tests that were widely condemned internationally and led to sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.

Wikipedia: 2009 North Korean nuclear test
2009 North Korean nuclear test
May 25, 2011 AVAILABLE

The final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest-rated daytime talk show in U.S. television history, hosted by Oprah Winfrey (pictured), was broadcast.

Wikipedia: The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
May 25, 2012 AVAILABLE

In a test flight, SpaceX's Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.

Wikipedia: SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2
SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2
May 25, 2013 AVAILABLE

Naxalite insurgents of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) attacked a convoy of Indian National Congress leaders in the state of Chhattisgarh, causing at least 27 deaths.

Wikipedia: Naxalite–Maoist insurgency
Naxalite–Maoist insurgency
May 25, 2020 AVAILABLE

George Floyd, a black American man, was murdered (memorial pictured) during an arrest by a white police officer in Minneapolis, sparking protests in the U.S. and other countries.

Wikipedia: George Floyd
George Floyd