In History, Today on May 30

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, launched from Kennedy Space Center, marking the first crewed orbital spaceflight launched from the United States since 2011.

The last Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, Mexico, marking the end of production for the iconic car model.

A massive truck bomb detonated in the diplomatic quarter of Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 90 people and injuring more than 400. The explosion caused widespread destruction and was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the city's history.

Nigeria passed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which banned same-sex marriage and imposed penalties for public displays of same-sex relationships.

The first successful commercial mission to the International Space Station was completed by SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, marking a significant milestone in private spaceflight.

Naoto Kan was elected as the Prime Minister of Japan, succeeding Yukio Hatoyama. Kan's election came amid political turmoil and economic challenges in Japan.

American author and journalist Hunter S. Thompson's ashes were fired from a cannon in a private ceremony in Woody Creek, Colorado, fulfilling his wish for an unusual send-off.

The European Space Agency launched the Mars Express mission, which included the Beagle 2 lander, from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This mission aimed to explore the Martian atmosphere and surface.

Student demonstrations continued in Beijing as the Tiananmen Square Protests peaked in attendance.

Spain became the 16th member of NATO, marking a significant step in its post-Franco era foreign policy and integration into Western defense structures.

Mariner 9, a NASA spacecraft, was launched to Mars. It became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet, providing detailed images and data about the Martian surface and atmosphere.

The Nigerian Civil War, also known as the Biafran War, began as the Eastern Region of Nigeria declared independence as the Republic of Biafra. The conflict lasted until 1970 and resulted in significant loss of life and humanitarian crises.

A dike along the Columbia River broke, flooding Vanport City, Oregon, and killing 15 people.

The first 1,000-bomber raid by the Royal Air Force was conducted against Cologne, Germany, during World War II.

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. The monument honors Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, and has become a symbol of American ideals.

The Treaty of London was signed, ending the First Balkan War. The treaty resulted in significant territorial changes in the Balkans, with the Ottoman Empire losing most of its European territories.

The Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world, was held for the first time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Ray Harroun won the inaugural race.

In Namibia, under German colonial rule, the Dorsland Trekkers reached the town of Otjitambi in a difficult migration across the arid region. This migration was part of a larger movement of Boer families moving northward from South Africa.

The first Decoration Day, later known as Memorial Day, was observed in the United States to honor those who died in the Civil War.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act was signed into law by U.S. President Franklin Pierce, allowing territories to decide on the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty.

John Francis attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria as she drove down Constitution Hill in London. This was the second attempt on her life within two days, but she was unharmed.

The Rideau Canal was opened, connecting the city of Ottawa (then known as Bytown) to Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River. It was built as a precautionary measure in the event of a war with the United States.

The First Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the War of the Sixth Coalition and restoring the Bourbon monarchy in France with Louis XVIII as king. The treaty defined France's borders and reduced its size to those of 1792.

Future U.S. President Andrew Jackson killed Charles Dickinson in a duel after a long-standing dispute. The duel took place in Logan County, Kentucky, and was one of many duels Jackson participated in during his lifetime.

The United States builds its first permanent fort west of the Mississippi River at Fort Kaskaskia, Illinois.

Voltaire, the French Enlightenment writer and philosopher, dies in Paris.

The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed between Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, and King Louis XIII of France, marking a significant alliance during the Thirty Years' War.

The last ship of the Spanish Armada set sail from Lisbon, marking the beginning of the Spanish attempt to invade England. The Armada was ultimately defeated by the English fleet and adverse weather conditions.

Henry III became King of France following the death of his brother, Charles IX.

King Henry VIII of England married Jane Seymour, his third wife, just days after the execution of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. Jane Seymour would later give birth to Henry's only male heir, Edward VI.

Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in Rouen, France, after being captured by the Burgundians and handed over to the English. Her trial was politically motivated, and she was posthumously exonerated in 1456.

The English Peasants' Revolt began as tax collectors attempted to levy a poll tax in Brentwood, Essex, leading to extreme popular resistance.

The Treaty of Wallingford is concluded, ending a civil war in England known as The Anarchy.

The death of Saint Hubertus, the patron saint of hunters, who was the first bishop of Liège and known for his conversion story involving a vision of a crucifix between the antlers of a stag.

Pope Gregory II died, marking the end of his papacy, which was notable for his opposition to Byzantine iconoclasm and his support for missionary work in Germany.

The Siege of Jerusalem by the Roman army led by Titus reaches a critical point as the Roman forces breach the Second Wall of Jerusalem, leading to intense fighting within the city.