May 7th

Dmitry Medvedev was sworn in as Russia's president.

President Vladimir Putin took the oath of office in Russia's first democratic transfer of power.

During action against Yugoslavia, NATO jets mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, killing three and injuring 20.

Edvard Munch's painting, The Scream was recovered a few months after it had been stolen.

A 203-year-old proposed constitutional amendment barring Congress from giving itself a midterm pay raise was ratified when Michigan became the 38th state to approve it.

A $180 million out-of-court settlement was announced in the Agent Orange class-action suit brought by Vietnam veterans.

Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby on his way to horse racing's Triple Crown.

The 56-day-long battle of Dienbienphu ended with Ho Chi Minh's forces defeating the French, signaling the end of French power in Indochina.

The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer.

Sony is founded. The company started as Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering. It is now one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products.

WWII: Unconditional German surrender to the Allies signed by General Alfred Jodl at Rheims.

Germany and Italy announced a military and political alliance, the Rome-Berlin Axis.

The British ocean liner Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine in World War I off the coast of Ireland.

Columbia University approves plans for awarding the Pulitzer Prize in several categories, after established by Joseph Pulitzer.

Alexander Popov demonstrates the world's first radio receiver. The Russian physicist had initially built the device as a lightning detector. He achieved the first radio transmission between two buildings the following year.

The American Medical Association was organized in Philadelphia, Pa.

Composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, Russia.

Composer Johannes Brahms was born in Hamburg, Germany.

Beethoven's 9th Symphony premiered in Vienna.

English poet Robert Browning was born in London.

English siege of Orleans broken by Joan of Arc and the French army.