A closer look at key historic events that took place on May 31:

In 2013, the widest tornado recorded hits El Reno, Oklahoma

This EF5 tornado had a width of 4.2 kilometers and caused significant damage, tragically claiming the lives of several storm chasers, including renowned meteorologist Tim Samaras.

In 2005, Deep Throat reveals himself

Mark Felt, the former associate director of the FBI, revealed himself as “Deep Throat,” the anonymous source who provided crucial information to journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein during their investigation of the Watergate scandal in the 1970s.

In 1962, Adolf Eichmann is hanged

Eichmann was one of the architects of the Holocaust and was hanged in Israel after being found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity during World War II.

In 1916, the Battle of Jutland begins

The Battle of Jutland, the largest naval battle of World War I, began in the North Sea near Denmark’s Jutland Peninsula. The British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, clashed with the Imperial German Navy’s High Seas Fleet, led by Vice-Admiral Reinhard Scheer. The battle lasted until June 1 and ended inconclusively, with both sides claiming victory but neither achieving decisive control over the North Sea.

In 1910, the first government of South Africa is formed

Louis Botha, a former Boer War general, became the first Prime Minister of the newly established Union of South Africa. This marked the beginning of a unified administration under British dominion, laying the groundwork for the country’s future political landscape.

In 1902, the South African War ends

Also known as the Second Boer War, the conflict ended with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on May 31. The treaty marked the end of hostilities between the British Empire and the two Boer republics, the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.

In 1889, a flood ravages Johnstown, Pennsylvania

The disaster occurred when the South Fork Dam failed, releasing 20 million tons of water from the Lake Conemaugh reservoir. This catastrophic event resulted in the deaths of over 2,200 people and caused massive destruction in the town. It is considered one of the worst matural disasters in US history.

In 1790, the United States establishes the copyright law
copyright law.

The US passed the Copyright Act of 1790 on May 31. This law granted authors the exclusive right to print, reprint, and publish their work for a period of 14 years, with the possibility of renewal for another 14 years.

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