In History, Today on May 30

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.