This day in history: 25 may

Europa

Battle of Odžak Ends (1945)

• On May 25, 1945, the Battle of Odžak concluded with a Yugoslav Partisan victory, marking the final military engagement of World War II in Europe. This event symbolized the very end of active conflict on the continent after Germany’s surrender earlier in May.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Comes into Force (2018)

• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a landmark law harmonizing data privacy across the European Union, became enforceable on May 25, 2018. This regulation has had a profound impact on privacy rights and business practices throughout Europe.

Other Notable Events

• In 1907, Finland, then part of the Russian Empire, held its first parliamentary session attended by women, making it the first country in the world to allow women to participate as members of parliament.
• In ancient history, on May 25, 567 BC, Servius Tullius, king of Rome, celebrated a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans.

America

U.S. Constitutional Convention Opens (1787)

• On May 25, 1787, the Constitutional Convention began in Philadelphia. Delegates from 12 states gathered to address problems with the Articles of Confederation, ultimately drafting the U.S. Constitution, which remains the foundation of American government.

George Floyd’s Death (2020)

• On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His death sparked nationwide and global protests against racial injustice and police brutality.

Jesse Owens’ Record-Breaking Day (1935)

• On May 25, 1935, Jesse Owens, representing Ohio State University, broke three world records and tied a fourth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Field Championships, marking one of the greatest achievements in track and field history.

Hands Across America (1986)

• On May 25, 1986, millions of people joined hands in a human chain across the United States for “Hands Across America,” a charity event to raise awareness and funds for hunger and homelessness.

Other Notable Events

• In 1953, the United States conducted its first and only nuclear artillery test at the Nevada Test Site.
• The first public television station in the U.S., KUHT in Houston, began broadcasting on May 25, 1953.
• In 1977, the original Star Wars film premiered, revolutionizing American pop culture.
• On May 25, 1979, American Airlines Flight 191 crashed shortly after takeoff in Chicago, becoming the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history at the time.

Memorial Day

While not always falling on May 25, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May. In 2026, Memorial Day will fall on May 25. The holiday honors U.S. military personnel who died in service and is marked by ceremonies, flag placements, and remembrance activities across the country.

Asia

Opening of the Great Wall to the Manchus (1644)

• On May 25, 1644, Ming general Wu Sangui formed an alliance with the invading Manchus and opened the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan Pass. This pivotal act allowed the Manchus to enter and ultimately conquer Beijing, leading to the fall of the Ming dynasty and the rise of the Qing dynasty, which would rule China for over two centuries.

Sabarmati Ashram Established by Mahatma Gandhi (1915)

• On May 25, 1915, Mahatma Gandhi established the Sabarmati Ashram in Kochrab near Ahmedabad, India. The ashram became a major center for India’s independence movement and Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance.

Other Notable Events

• In 2013, Maoist insurgents killed 32 Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, India, marking a significant and tragic event in the country’s ongoing internal conflict.
• May 25, 2005, saw the passing of two prominent Indian film personalities: Ismail Merchant, a respected film producer and director, and Sunil Dutt, a legendary actor.

Africa

Africa Day / African Liberation Day

• May 25 is celebrated across Africa and by the African diaspora as Africa Day (formerly African Freedom Day and African Liberation Day). This annual event commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) on May 25, 1963, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where leaders from 32 independent African nations gathered to promote unity, solidarity, and the continent’s liberation from colonial rule.