In 1915, during World War I, a torpedo from a German submarine sinks the "Lusitania" off the coast of Ireland. Nearly 1200 people aboard the British ocean liner including 128 Americans are killed. The sinking helps push the United States into joining the war against the Germany two years later.

 

1945 end of World War II in Europe as Nazi Germany signs an unconditional surrender at ally headquarters in France. The allies officially celebrate the Nazi defeat the following day.

 

1954, in Southeast Asia, the Battle of Dien Bien Phu ends as Vietnamese insurgents overrun French forces after a 55 day siege. In Washington, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles foreshadows America’s long and costly involvement in Vietnam during the next two decades. “An epic battle has ended. But great causes have, before now, been won out of lost battles.

 

1840, composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky whose ballets includes Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker, is born in Russia.

 

And 1941, big band leader Glenn Miller and his orchestra record the swing era “Chattanooga Choo Choo”

 

Today In History, May 7th, Sandy Kozel, the Associated Press.