On this day in 1945, Puyi, the last Chinese emperor and ruler of Manchukuo, was captured by Soviet troops.
On this day in 1960, Cyprus gained its independence from the United Kingdom.
On this day in 1966, the House Un-American Activities Committee began investigations of Americans who had aided the Viet Cong. The committee intended to introduce legislation making these activities illegal. Anti-war demonstrators disrupted the meeting and 50 people were arrested.
And on this day in 2010, China overtook Japan as world's second-largest economy.