May 20 in History

ends   2022

Russians besiege and capture Mariupol

starts   2007

Lebanese government cracks down on Palestinian militants at Nahr al-Bared

  2002

International recognition of East Timor’s independence

ends   1942

Allies evacuate Burma in face of Japanese advance

starts   1941

Germans conquer Crete

  1938

Japanese take Xuzhou, China, connecting their northern and central armies

ends   1934

Saudis conquer Jizan & Najran from Yemen

  1927

Anglo-Saudi Treaty signed at Jeddah

  1902

Cuba independent

  1882

Austria-Hungary, Germany and Italy form Triple Alliance

  1861

North Carolina secedes

starts   1861

Gold rush in Otago

starts   1855

Allies briefly occupy Petropavlovsk after Russians withdraw

starts   1846

Paredes overthrown in Mexico

ends   1815

Murat leads Naples in war against Austria

starts   1813

Napoleon scores Pyrrhic victory over Allies at Bautzen

  1813

Wellington launches final advance into Spain

ends   1804

British unsuccessfully attempt settlement of Port Phillip

ends   410

Attalus and Alaric confront Honorius at Ravenna*

starts   325

Council of Nicaea pushes for Christian unity

ends   297

Persians invade western Armenia and Roman East*

  270

Dumatha rebels against Zenobia*

ends   270

Zenobia sacks Bostra, conquers Arabia Petraea*

  200

Ḥimyar gains control of Qatabān*

ends   50

Wielbark culture, associated with Goths, emerges in southern Baltic*