1918 – The Armenian National Council declares Armenia independent from the Russian Empire
1940 – Irving Berlin’s musical “Louisiana Purchase” premieres in NYC
1940 – Belgium surrenders to Germany, King Leopold III gives himself up
1957 – WPSD TV channel 6 in Paducah, KY (NBC) begins broadcasting
1963 – Cyclone hits Chittagong, Bangladesh; about 1 million houses destroyed
1979 – European Market accepts Greece as member
1995 – Indianapolis 500: Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve wins as race leader Scott Goodyear is controversially black flagged on lap 195
2000 – Indianapolis 500: reigning CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya leads for 167 laps to cruise to victory; first rookie winner since Graham Hill 1966
2004 – The Iraqi Governing Council chooses Ayad Allawi, a longtime anti-Saddam Hussein exile, to become Prime Minister of Iraq’s interim government
2005 – Super Rugby Final, Christchurch: Canterbury Crusaders claim their 5th title with a 35-25 win over the NSW Waratahs; Dan Carter lands 3 conversions and 2 penalties for the winners