Today in history May 31

  1. May 31, 1279 – The Battle of Yamen
    The Battle of Yamen was a decisive naval engagement that marked the end of the Song Dynasty in China. The Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty forces defeated the Song fleet, effectively completing the Mongol conquest of China. This battle took place in the Pearl River Delta near modern-day Guangdong province. The Song emperor, Zhao Bing, drowned during the battle, symbolizing the fall of the dynasty. The victory established Yuan rule over China, which lasted until the mid-14th century.
  2. May 31, 1859 – Big Ben Rings for the First Time
    On this day, the Great Bell of the clock at the Palace of Westminster in London, popularly known as Big Ben, rang out for the first time. Big Ben is one of the most iconic symbols of the United Kingdom and is part of the Houses of Parliament. The clock tower, now called the Elizabeth Tower, was completed in 1859. The bell weighs over 13 tons and its chimes are broadcast worldwide. Since then, Big Ben has become a cultural symbol of London and British parliamentary democracy.
  3. May 31, 1911 – The Discovery of Machu Picchu
    American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered the Inca city of Machu Picchu on this day. Located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Machu Picchu had been largely unknown to the outside world. The site is renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone construction and breathtaking location. It is believed to have been a royal estate or religious retreat for Inca leaders. Today, Machu Picchu is one of the most visited archaeological sites in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  4. May 31, 1916 – The Battle of Jutland Ends
    The Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of World War I, concluded on May 31, 1916. It was fought between the British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet and the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet in the North Sea. Although tactically inconclusive, the battle ensured British naval dominance for the remainder of the war. Both sides suffered heavy losses, with over 8,000 men killed in total. The battle had a significant impact on naval strategy and ship design in the years that followed.
  5. May 31, 1921 – The Tulsa Race Massacre Begins
    On this day, one of the most devastating racial violence events in U.S. history began in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A white mob attacked the prosperous African American neighborhood known as Greenwood, also called “Black Wall Street.” Over the course of two days, homes, businesses, and churches were destroyed, and many residents were killed or displaced. The massacre highlighted deep racial tensions and systemic racism in the early 20th century United States. For decades, the event was largely omitted from history books until recent efforts to acknowledge and memorialize it.
  6. May 31, 1962 – The U.S. Air Force’s X-15 Reaches a Record Altitude
    On this date, pilot Joseph A. Walker flew the North American X-15 rocket plane to an altitude of over 106 kilometers (66 miles), reaching the edge of space. The X-15 program was a joint NASA and U.S. Air Force project aimed at testing high-speed and high-altitude flight. Walker’s flight helped gather critical data on hypersonic flight and reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. The program contributed to the development of later spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle. The X-15 remains one of the fastest manned aircraft ever flown.
  7. May 31, 1970 – The Soviet Soyuz 9 Mission Launches
    Soyuz 9 was launched by the Soviet Union on May 31, 1970, setting a new endurance record for spaceflight at the time. The mission lasted nearly 18 days, during which cosmonauts Andrian Nikolayev and Vitaly Sevastyanov conducted various scientific experiments. The long-duration flight provided valuable insights into the effects of space travel on the human body. It was a critical step toward future extended missions and space station operations. Soyuz 9 demonstrated the feasibility of prolonged human presence in space.
  8. May 31, 2005 – Vanity Fair Publishes the “Top 10 Most Influential People” List
    On this day, Vanity Fair magazine published a widely discussed list of the top 10 most influential people in the world. The list included figures from politics, entertainment, technology, and business, reflecting the diverse sources of global influence. It sparked conversations about power, media, and the impact of individuals on society. Such lists have become annual features that shape public perception about leadership and cultural trends. The 2005 edition highlighted the growing importance of technology and globalization.
  9. May 31, 1913 – The Release of the First Feature-Length Indian Film
    “Raja Harishchandra,” directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, was released in India, marking the birth of Indian cinema. It was a silent film based on a legend from Hindu mythology. The film’s success laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s largest film industries. Phalke is celebrated as the father of Indian cinema for his pioneering work. This release marked the beginning of a vibrant cultural phenomenon that continues to influence global cinema.
  10. May 31, 1948 – The Establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO)
    The World Health Organization was officially established as a specialized agency of the United Nations on this day. Its mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. WHO coordinates international health efforts, combats disease outbreaks, and shapes health policy worldwide. Its creation marked a significant step in global cooperation for public health. Over the decades, WHO has played a crucial role in eradicating diseases like smallpox and addressing global health challenges.

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