It happened on a… April 30

2020

British Captain Tom Moore, who raised more £30 million for the National Health Service walking in his garden, turns 100 and made an honorary colonel by the Queen.

2019

Japanese Emperor Akihito declares his abdication at a ceremony in Tokyo which officially takes effect the following day.

1993

Monica Seles is stabbed by Günter Parche, an obsessed fan, during a quarterfinal match of the 1993 Citizen Cup in Hamburg, Germany

1988

33rd Eurovision Song Contest: Celine Dion for Switzerland wins singing “Ne partez pas sans moi” in Dublin.

1987

NY Islander Mike Bossy plays his final game.

1972

The North Vietnamese launched an invasion of the South.

1952

Mr Potato Head is 1st toy advertised on television.

1945

Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide. They had been married for one day. One week later Germany surrendered unconditionally.

1939

Lou Gehrig sets a MLB record playing his 2,130th consecutive and final game for the New York Yankees..

1803

Napoleon Bonaparte sells Louisiana to the US for $27 million; territories between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains first claimed by explorers from New France.

1789

George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States of America.

1658

Marguerite Bourgeoys 1620-1700 opens Ville Marie’s first school for French and Indian children.

1492

Christopher Columbus is given royal commission by Spanish monarchs Isabella I and Ferdinand II to equip his fleet to the New World.