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May 30
5 moments across history
Joan of Arc burned at the stake
On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen, France, at age 19. The peasant girl who led French forces to victory during the Hundred Years' War was condemned as a heretic by an English-controlled church court. She was canonized in 1920.
Joan of Arc at her trial in Rouen, depicted in a 19th-century painting.
Memorial Day observed for the first time
The first Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery in 1868.
General John A. Logan, who established Decoration Day through General Order No. 11.
On May 30, 1868, Decoration Day (later Memorial Day) was observed for the first time nationwide, honoring Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. General John A. Logan declared it at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 participants decorated graves with flowers.
Mariner program launches Mariner 9 to Mars
Mariner 9 spacecraft before launch, the first probe to orbit another planet.
Mars as imaged by Mariner 9, revealing Olympus Mons and Valles Marineris.
On May 30, 1971, NASA launched Mariner 9, which became the first spacecraft to orbit another planet when it reached Mars on November 14. Despite arriving during a global dust storm, it mapped 85% of the Martian surface and discovered volcanoes, canyons, and evidence of ancient water.
The Times publishes its first color photograph
The historic front page of The Times featuring its first color photograph.
Prince Charles and Lady Diana in their engagement photo that appeared in color.
On May 30, 1981, The Times of London published its first color photograph on the front page, showing Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The innovation marked a turning point in newspaper publishing, though full-color daily editions took years to become standard.
Serbia declares independence
The Serbian parliament building in Belgrade where independence was declared.
Map showing the dissolution of Serbia-Montenegro union in 2006.
On May 30, 2006, Serbia's parliament formally declared independence following Montenegro's secession from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The declaration came after a referendum in which 55.5% of Montenegrins voted for independence, dissolving the last remnant of Yugoslavia.