16 May, 1975 – Junko Tabei became the first woman to conquer Mount Everest

The ascent by the Japanese adventurer came 22 years after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit.

17 May, 1972 – Germany ratified the Treaty of Warsaw

Chancellor Willy Brandt signed the treaty, by which Germany gives up any territorial claims and guarantees the Oder-Neisse line as the valid border to Poland.

18 May, 1980 – Mount St. Helens erupted

The eruption killed 57 people. A large part of the previously cone-shaped volcano was replaced by a massive crater; its summit is now some 1300 feet lower than before the eruption.

19 May, 1919 – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk set off the Turkish War of Independence

The fight against the allies of the Triple Entente ended some four years later. The Republic of Turkey was founded, and Atatürk became its first President.

20 May, 1873 – Blue jeans were patented

Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis invented the garment, which today represents one of the most popular types of trousers worldwide.

21 May, 1904 – FIFA, the world governing body of association football, was founded

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is responsible for the organisation of the World Cup, which is one of the world's most viewed sporting events.

22 May, 2012 – The world's tallest tower was opened to the public

At 643 meters, the Tokyo Skytree in Japan's capital city is also the second tallest structure in the world after Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Its prime purpose is relaying TV and radio signals.