On this day in 1666, the Great Fire of London broke out and burned for three days, destroying 10,000 buildings including St Paul's Cathedral.
On this day in 1945, Japan formally surrendered to the Allies, ending World War II. The surrender was signed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, with General Hsu Yung-chang signing for China.
On this day in 1945, Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi, with himself as its president.