This day in history

In the first military action in the 45 year history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, U.S. fighter planes shoot down four Serbian warplanes flying a bombing mission in violation of Bosnia's no-fly zone.

Founded in 1949 to combat Soviet aggression, NATO volunteered in 1994 to enforce United Nations resolutions enacted to end three years of conflict in the former Yugoslavia. In 1995, NATO deployed 60,000 troops to the war-torn region to enforce the Dayton Peace Accords, signed in Paris by the leaders of the former Yugoslavia.

The Gulf War: A ceasefire is signed, ending the war.

The last British troops leave India.

German President Paul von Hindenburg, issues the Reichstag Fire Decree, which effectively suspends the human rights that the Weimar Constitution had guaranteed.

Queen Ranavalona III of Madagascar is deposed by a French military force. She is the last monarch of the island.