On this day: May 25
The Battle of Jutland (1916)
On May 25, 1916, the largest naval battle of World War I, the Battle of Jutland, took place in the North Sea off the coast of Denmark. The British Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet, commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, clashed with the German High Seas Fleet, led by Admiral Reinhard Scheer. The battle lasted for two days and resulted in heavy losses on both sides. The British lost 14 ships and over 6,000 men, while the Germans lost 11 ships and around 2,500 men. The outcome of the battle was inconclusive, but it marked a turning point in the war at sea.
John F. Kennedy’s Speech at the Berlin Wall (1963)
On May 25, 1963, President John F. Kennedy delivered his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech in West Berlin, Germany. The speech was a show of solidarity with the people of Berlin, who were living in a divided city surrounded by the Berlin Wall, which had been erected by the East German government to prevent its citizens from fleeing to the West. In his speech, Kennedy declared America’s support for the people of Berlin and their quest for freedom. The speech is considered one of Kennedy’s most powerful and memorable moments.
The First American Woman in Space (1983)
On May 25, 1983, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space. Ride, a physicist and astronaut, was part of the crew of the space shuttle Challenger, which launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ride’s historic mission made her a trailblazer for women in the field of space exploration and inspired a new generation of female astronauts.
The Liberation of Ethiopia (1941)
On May 25, 1941, British and Ethiopian forces captured the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, marking the end of the five-year Italian occupation of the country. The Italians had invaded Ethiopia in 1935, seeking to expand their colonial empire in Africa. The Ethiopian resistance, led by Emperor Haile Selassie, fought a guerrilla war against the Italian occupiers until the British forces arrived to support them. The liberation of Ethiopia was a significant victory for the Allies in World War II and a symbol of African resistance to colonialism.
The Birth of Sir Ian McKellen (1939)
On May 25, 1939, British actor Sir Ian McKellen was born in Burnley, Lancashire, England. McKellen is known for his versatile and acclaimed performances on stage and screen, including his roles in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men film series. McKellen is also a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights and has been knighted for his contributions to the arts. He is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.
