29th May 1953 - Everest Conquered!!

Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal plant four flags at the peak of Mt. Everest, 29,028 feet above sea level, and become the first explorers to scale Everest. As early as the 1920s, attempts were made to scale Mount Everest, the world's tallest mountain. However, no climbers succeeded until Hillary and Norgay on 29 May 1953. The two, part of a British expedition, made their final assault on the summit after spending a fitful night at 27,900 feet. News of their achievement broke around the world on 2 June, the day of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, and many called it a good omen of things to come. The Queen knighted Edmund Hillary later that year.

22nd May 1859 - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Born on this day, in 1859, in Edinburgh, to an English father of Irish descent, Charles Altamont, and Irish mother, nee Mary Foley.

8th May 1945 - VE Day

After five years, eight months and five days of massive devastation, the end of the European phase of the Second World War is celebrated on 8 May 1945. Victory in Europe was commemorated with celebrations all around the world in recognition of the unconditional surrender of all German forces signed in Reims, France, the day before. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill told war-weary Londoners, this is your victory, while U.S. President Harry Truman reminded Americans that until Japan's defeat, victory is but half-won. Following the announcement huge crowds, many dressed in red, white and blue, gathered outside Buckingham Palace in London and were cheered as the King, Queen and two Princesses came out onto the balcony.

Friendship.

1st May 1982 - Falkland Islands

British Warships and Fighter Bombers bombed Argentinean positions at Port Stanley on the Islands as war broke out over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands after Argentina invaded the Islands .

1st May 1994 - Senna.

The Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna has been killed in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

RIP Ayrton.