0507 Today in History
May 7th 1915, during World War 1A, 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 Germany. Two years later 1945 end of World War 2 in Europe as Nazi Germany signs an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in France. The Allies officially celebrate the Nazi defeat the following day. 1954 In Southeast Asia, the battle of Dian Bien Fu 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 include Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, is born in Russia and 1941. Big band leader Glenn Miller and his orchestra record The Swing Era hit Chattanooga Choo Choo Today in History, May 7th. Sandy Cosell, The Associated Press.