1775: The American Revolutionary War began with the battles of Lexington and Concord.

1993: The 51-day siege at the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, ended as fire destroyed the structure after federal agents began smashing their way in; about 80 people, including two dozen children and sect leader David Koresh, were killed.

1995: Timothy McVeigh, seeking to strike at the government he blamed for the Waco deaths, destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. (McVeigh was convicted of federal murder charges and executed in 2001.)

In the world

1943: During World War II, tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately futile uprising against Nazi forces.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Elinor Donahue is 87. Actor Tim Curry is 78. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser Jr. is 62. Former recording executive Suge Knight is 59. Actor Ashley Judd is 56. Actor James Franco is 46. Actor Kate Hudson is 45. Actor Hayden Christensen is 43. Actor-comedian Ali Wong is 42. Retired tennis player Maria Sharapova is 37.

— The Associated Press