This day in history: 6 may

Europa

Sack of Rome (1527)

• On May 6, 1527, Spanish and German troops sacked Rome in a brutal attack that many historians consider the end of the Renaissance. Over 4,000 Romans were killed, the Pope was imprisoned, and priceless works of art and libraries were looted. It took a year before order was restored in the city.

Opening of the Eiffel Tower to the Public (1889)

• The Eiffel Tower, one of Europe’s most iconic landmarks, was officially opened to the public during the Paris Exposition on May 6, 1889.

Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) Inauguration (1994)

• The Channel Tunnel, linking the United Kingdom and France, was officially opened on May 6, 1994, by Queen Elizabeth II and French President François Mitterrand. The tunnel, known as the “Chunnel,” is notable for having the world’s longest undersea portion.

Roger Bannister Breaks the Four-Minute Mile (1954)

• British athlete Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes (3:59.4) on May 6, 1954, at Oxford, England-a landmark achievement in sports history.

Northeast Italy Earthquake (1976)

• On May 6, 1976, a devastating earthquake struck northeast Italy, killing 939 people and leaving 157,000 homeless. It was the worst earthquake in Italy in decades, measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale.

America

American Civil War

• 1861: Arkansas seceded from the Union, joining the Confederacy during the early stages of the Civil War.
• 1863: The Battle of Chancellorsville ended with a significant Confederate victory over Union forces.

Notable Legislation

• 1882: The United States Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first major federal law to suspend immigration for a specific nationality.

Native American History

• 1877: Chief Crazy Horse, a leader of the Oglala Lakota, surrendered to U.S. troops in Nebraska, marking a pivotal moment in the resistance to westward expansion.

Aviation and Disasters

• 1937: The Hindenburg disaster occurred in Lakehurst, New Jersey, when the German airship burst into flames while landing, killing 36 people and marking the end of the airship era.

Sports Milestone

• 1915: Babe Ruth, then a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, hit his first major league home run, beginning his legendary baseball career.

Exploration

• 1856: Birth of Robert Peary, the American explorer who claimed to have reached the North Pole.

Other Noteworthy Events

• 1935: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the executive order creating the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a key New Deal agency.
• 1942: The last American forces in the Philippines surrendered to Japan during World War II.

Asia

World War II: Surrender of Corregidor (1942)

• On May 6, 1942, the last American forces on Corregidor Island in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese after a prolonged siege, marking a pivotal moment in the Pacific theater of World War II.

Cultural and Political Events

• In Vietnam, May 6, 2025, saw the National Assembly adopt significant constitutional amendments aimed at streamlining the political system and redefining the roles of key organizations and local governments.

Festivals

• In Laos, the Boun Bang Fai (Rocket Festival) is celebrated on May 6. This traditional festival involves launching homemade rockets to invoke rain for the upcoming rice planting season, featuring parades, music, and dancing.

Africa

Mozambique Independence Day (1974)

• On May 6, 1974, Mozambique achieved independence from Portuguese colonial rule after years of armed struggle, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s history and the broader African decolonization movement.

Ghana’s 1956 Riots

• May 6 is remembered in Ghana for the 1956 Accra riots, which were sparked by the arrest of ex-servicemen demanding better treatment from British colonial authorities. These protests played a significant role in accelerating Ghana’s path toward independence.

African Liberation Day

• May 6 is recognized in some contexts as African Liberation Day, commemorating the continent’s ongoing struggle against colonialism and oppression, and celebrating unity and solidarity among African nations.

Zulu Assault at Holkrantz (1902)

• On May 6, 1902, Zulu warriors launched an attack on British forces at Holkrantz during the Second Boer War in South Africa.

Other Notable Events

• 1915: John Chilembwe, a Malawian pastor and freedom fighter, led an uprising against British colonial rule in Nyasaland (now Malawi).
• 1980: South African anti-apartheid activist Thozamile Botha defied a banning order by the apartheid regime.
• 1990: P.W. Botha, then State President of South Africa, resigned from the National Party, a key step toward ending apartheid.
• 2013: Nigeria’s President declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states due to Boko Haram’s insurgency.