The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster strikes Japan
The nuclear meltdowns occurred after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami. It was the worst nuclear accident since the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

191 people die as several bombs explode on Madrid commuter trains
The bombings were conducted by an Islamist terrorist cell and came 3 days before Spain’s general elections.

Lithuania becomes the first Soviet republic to declare its independence
The Baltic country’s secession marked an important step in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.