On This Day — May 25

Famous events, births, and deaths from May 25 in history, plus the public holidays, religious observances, sports, and national days happening on this date today.

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54 events · 215 births · 92 deaths recorded for May 25.

🕰️ Notable Events on May 25

2013 — Suspected Maoist rebels kill at least 28 people and injure 32 others in an attack on a convoy of Indian National Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh, India. Wikipedia ↗
2013 — A gas cylinder explodes on a school bus in the Pakistani city of Gujrat, killing at least 18 people. Wikipedia ↗
2012 — The SpaceX Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous with the International Space Station. Wikipedia ↗
2011 — Oprah Winfrey airs her last show, ending her twenty-five-year run of The Oprah Winfrey Show. Wikipedia ↗
2009 — North Korea allegedly tests its second nuclear device. Following the nuclear test, Pyongyang also conducted several missile tests building tensions in the international community. Wikipedia ↗
2008 — NASA's Phoenix lander lands in Green Valley region of Mars to search for environments suitable for water and microbial life. Wikipedia ↗
2002 — China Airlines Flight 611 disintegrates in mid-air and crashes into the Taiwan Strait. All 225 people on board are killed. Wikipedia ↗
2000 — Liberation Day of Lebanon. Israel withdraws its army from Lebanese territory (except for the disputed Shebaa farms zone) 22 years after its invasion in 1978. Wikipedia ↗
1999 — The United States House of Representatives releases the Cox Report which details the People's Republic of China's nuclear espionage against the U.S. over the prior two decades. Wikipedia ↗
1997 — A military coup in Sierra Leone replaces President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah with Major Johnny Paul Koromah. Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Hands Across America takes place. Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Bangladesh is hit by a tropical cyclone and storm surge, which kills approximately 10,000 people. Wikipedia ↗
1982 — HMS Coventry is sunk during the Falklands War. Wikipedia ↗
1981 — In Riyadh, the Gulf Cooperation Council is created between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Wikipedia ↗
1979 — American Airlines Flight 191: In Chicago, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 crashes during takeoff at O'Hare International Airport killing all 271 on board and two people on the ground. Wikipedia ↗
1978 — The first bomb of a series of bombings orchestrated by the Unabomber detonates at Northwestern University resulting in minor injuries. Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Star Wars is released in theaters. Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Chinese government removes a decade old ban on William Shakespeare's work, effectively ending the Cultural Revolution started in 1966. Wikipedia ↗
1973 — HNS Velos, while participating in a NATO exercise and in order to protest against the dictatorship in Greece, anchored at Fiumicino, Italy, refusing to return to Greece. Wikipedia ↗
1968 — The Gateway Arch in Saint Louis is dedicated. Wikipedia ↗
1966 — Explorer program: Explorer 32 launches. Wikipedia ↗
1963 — In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Organisation of African Unity is established. Wikipedia ↗
1961 — Apollo program: U.S. President John F. Kennedy announces before a special joint session of the Congress his goal to initiate a project to put a "man on the Moon" before the end of the decade. Wikipedia ↗
1955 — In the United States, a night-time F5 tornado strikes the small city of Udall, Kansas, killing 80 and injuring 273. It is the deadliest tornado to ever occur in the state and the 23rd deadliest in the U.S. Wikipedia ↗
1955 — First ascent of Kangchenjunga (8,586 m.), the third-highest mountain in the world, by a British expedition led by Charles Evans. Joe Brown and George Band reached the summit on May 25, followed by Norman Hardie and Tony Streather the next day. Wikipedia ↗
1953 — At the Nevada Test Site, the United States conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test. Wikipedia ↗
1953 — The first public television station in the United States officially begins broadcasting as KUHT from the campus of the University of Houston. Wikipedia ↗
1946 — The parliament of Transjordan makes Abdullah I of Jordan their Emir. Wikipedia ↗
1940 — World War II: The German 2nd Panzer Division captures the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; the surrender of the last French and British troops marks the end of the Battle of Boulogne. Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Jesse Owens of Ohio State University breaks three world records and ties a fourth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Field Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Wikipedia ↗
1926 — Sholom Schwartzbard assassinates Symon Petliura, the head of the government of the Ukrainian People's Republic, which is in government-in-exile in Paris. Wikipedia ↗
1925 — Scopes Trial: John T. Scopes is indicted for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in Tennessee. Wikipedia ↗
1914 — The House of Commons of the United Kingdom passes the Home Rule Bill for devolution in Ireland. Wikipedia ↗
1895 — Playwright, poet, and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison. Wikipedia ↗
1895 — The Republic of Formosa is formed, with Tang Ching-sung as its president. Wikipedia ↗
1878 — Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore opens at the Opera Comique in London. Wikipedia ↗
1865 — In Mobile, Alabama, around 300 people are killed when an ordnance depot explodes. Wikipedia ↗
1837 — The Rebels of Lower Canada (Quebec) rebel against the British for governmental reforms. Wikipedia ↗
1833 — The Chilean Constitution of 1833 is promulgated. Wikipedia ↗
1819 — The Argentine Constitution of 1819 is promulgated. Wikipedia ↗
1810 — May Revolution: citizens of Buenos Aires expel Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros during the May week, starting the Argentine War of Independence. Wikipedia ↗
1809 — Chuquisaca Revolution: Patriot revolt in Chuquisaca (modern day Sucre) against the Spanish Empire, sparking the Latin American wars of independence. Wikipedia ↗
1798 — United Irishmen Rebellion: Battle of Carlow begins; executions of suspected rebels at Carnew and at Dunlavin Green take place. Wikipedia ↗
1787 — The United States Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia, when a quorum of seven states is secured. Wikipedia ↗
1738 — A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with settlement of a boundary dispute and exchange of prisoners. Wikipedia ↗
1660 — Charles II lands at Dover at the invitation of the Convention Parliament (England), which marks the end of the Cromwell-proclaimed Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland and begins the Restoration (1660) of the British monarchy. Wikipedia ↗
1659 — Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth of England. Wikipedia ↗
1644 — Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing. Wikipedia ↗
1521 — The Diet of Worms ends when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw. Wikipedia ↗
1420 — Henry the Navigator is appointed governor of the Order of Christ. Wikipedia ↗
1085 — Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors. Wikipedia ↗
Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans. Wikipedia ↗
First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on May 25

1996 — David Pastrňák, Czech ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1994 — Matt Murray, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1994 — Aly Raisman, American gymnast Wikipedia ↗
1993 — James Porter, English cricketer Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Bo Dallas, American wrestler Wikipedia ↗
1990 — Nikita Filatov, Russian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1988 — Dávid Škutka, Slovak footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Timothy Derijck, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Yves De Winter, Belgian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Moritz Stehling, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
1987 — Kamil Stoch, Polish ski jumper Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Edewin Fanini, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Yoan Gouffran, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Neon Hitch, English singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Takahiro Hōjō, Japanese actor and musician Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Geraint Thomas, Welsh cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1986 — Juri Ueno, Japanese actress Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Luciana Abreu, Portuguese singer and actress Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Demba Ba, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Gert Kams, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1985 — Roman Reigns, American football player and wrestler Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Luke Ball, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Kyle Brodziak, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1984 — A. J. Foyt IV, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1984 — Shawne Merriman, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Tiago Cardoso Fonseca Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1983 — Aleksandr Petrov, Estonian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Adam Boyd, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Daniel Braaten, Norwegian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Ryan Gallant, American skateboarder Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Roger Guerreiro, Polish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Justin Hodges, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Ezekiel Kemboi, Kenyan runner Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Jason Kubel, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Stacey Pensgen, American figure skater and meteorologist Wikipedia ↗
1982 — Luke Webster, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Michalis Pelekanos, Greek basketball player Wikipedia ↗
1981 — Matt Utai, New Zealand rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
1980 — Joe King, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1980 — David Navarro, Spanish footballer Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Carlos Bocanegra, American soccer player Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Sayed Moawad, Egyptian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Caroline Ouellette, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Sam Sodje, English-Nigerian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Jonny Wilkinson, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1979 — Chris Young, American baseball pitcher Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Adam Gontier, Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1978 — Brian Urlacher, American football player Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Andre Anis, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
1977 — Alberto Del Rio, Mexican-American mixed martial artist and wrestler Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Stefan Holm, Swedish high jumper Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Cillian Murphy, Irish actor Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Erki Pütsep, Estonian cyclist Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Ethan Suplee, American actor Wikipedia ↗
1976 — Miguel Zepeda, Mexican footballer Wikipedia ↗
1975 — Blaise Nkufo, Congolese-Swiss footballer Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Dougie Freedman, Scottish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Frank Klepacki, American drummer and composer Wikipedia ↗
1974 — Miguel Tejada, Dominican-American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Daz Dillinger, American rapper and producer Wikipedia ↗
1973 — Molly Sims, American model and actress Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Karan Johar, Indian actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1972 — Octavia Spencer, American actress and author Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Stefano Baldini, Italian runner Wikipedia ↗
1971 — Marco Cappato, Italian politician Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Robert Croft, Welsh-English cricketer and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1970 — Jamie Kennedy, American actor, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Glen Drover, Canadian guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Anne Heche, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1969 — Stacy London, American journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
1968 — Kendall Gill, American basketball player, boxer, and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
1967 — Mark Rosewater, Head designer of Magic: the Gathering Wikipedia ↗
1965 — Yahya Jammeh, Gambian colonel and politician, President of the Gambia Wikipedia ↗
1964 — David Shaw, Canadian-American ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1963 — George Hickenlooper, American director and producer (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1963 — Mike Myers, Canadian-American actor, singer, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1962 — Ric Nattress, Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and manager Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Amy Klobuchar, American lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1960 — Anthea Turner, English journalist and television host Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Julian Clary, English comedian, actor, and author Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Manolis Kefalogiannis, Greek politician Wikipedia ↗
1959 — Rick Wamsley, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Dorothy Straight, American children's author Wikipedia ↗
1958 — Paul Weller, English singer, songwriter and musician Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Alastair Campbell, English journalist and author Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Edward Lee, American author Wikipedia ↗
1957 — Robert Picard, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Stavros Arnaoutakis, Greek politician Wikipedia ↗
1956 — Larry Hogan, American politician, 62nd Governor of Maryland Wikipedia ↗
1956 — David P. Sartor, American composer and conductor Wikipedia ↗
1955 — Alistair Burt, English lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
1954 — Murali, Indian actor, producer, and politician (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Eve Ensler, American playwright and producer Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Daniel Passarella, Argentinian footballer, coach, and manager Wikipedia ↗
1953 — Stan Sakai, Japanese-American author and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Jeffrey Bewkes, American businessman Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Nick Fotiu, American ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1952 — David Jenkins, Trinidadian-Scottish runner Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Al Sarrantonio, American author and publisher Wikipedia ↗
1952 — Gordon H. Smith, American businessman and politician Wikipedia ↗
1951 — Bob Gale, American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
1950 — Robby Steinhardt, American rock violinist and singer Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Jamaica Kincaid, Antiguan-American novelist, short story writer, and essayist Wikipedia ↗
1949 — Barry Windsor-Smith, English painter and illustrator Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Bülent Arınç, Turkish lawyer and politician, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Marianne Elliott, Northern Irish historian, author, and academic Wikipedia ↗
1948 — Klaus Meine, German rock singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Karen Valentine, American actress Wikipedia ↗
1947 — Catherine G. Wolf, American psychologist and computer scientist Wikipedia ↗
1946 — Bill Adam, Scottish-Canadian race car driver Wikipedia ↗
1946 — David A. Hargrave, American game designer, created Arduin (d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Digby Anderson, English journalist and philosopher Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Pierre Bachelet, French singer-songwriter (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Charlie Harper, English singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Robert MacPherson, American mathematician and academic Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Frank Oz, English-born American puppeteer, filmmaker, and actor Wikipedia ↗
1944 — Chris Ralston, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Jessi Colter, American singer-songwriter and pianist Wikipedia ↗
1943 — John Palmer, English keyboard player Wikipedia ↗
1943 — Leslie Uggams, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
1941 — Vladimir Voronin, Moldovan economist and politician, 3rd President of Moldova Wikipedia ↗
1940 — Nobuyoshi Araki, Japanese photographer Wikipedia ↗
1939 — Dixie Carter, American actress and singer (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
1939 — Ian McKellen, English actor Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Geoffrey Robinson, English businessman and politician Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Raymond Carver, American short story writer and poet(d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
1938 — Margaret Forster, English historian, author, and critic (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1937 — Tom Phillips, English painter and academic Wikipedia ↗
1936 — Tom T. Hall, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
1936 — Rusi Surti, Indian cricketer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — John Ffowcs Williams, Welsh engineer and academic Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Cookie Gilchrist, American football player (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — W. P. Kinsella, Canadian novelist and short story writer (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
1935 — Victoria Shaw, Australian-born American actress (d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Sarah Marshall, English-American actress (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Basdeo Panday, Trinidadian lawyer and politician, 5th Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Ray Spencer, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
1933 — Jógvan Sundstein, Faroese accountant and politician, 7th Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands Wikipedia ↗
1932 — John Gregory Dunne, American novelist, screenwriter, and critic (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
1932 — K. C. Jones, American basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
1931 — Herb Gray, Canadian lawyer and politician, 7th Deputy Prime Minister of Canada (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
1931 — Georgy Grechko, Russian engineer and astronaut Wikipedia ↗
1931 — Irwin Winkler, American director and producer Wikipedia ↗
1929 — Beverly Sills, American soprano and actress (d. 2007) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Robert Ludlum, American soldier and author (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
1927 — Norman Petty, American singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer (d. 1984) Wikipedia ↗