1943    World War II: Australian and American forces finally defeat the Japanese army in Papua. This turning point in the Pacific War marks the beginning of the end of Japanese aggression.

1944    World War II: possibly the biggest prison breakout in history occurs as 545 Japanese POWs attempt to escape outside the town of Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.

2001    The American submarine {{USS|Greeneville|SSN-772|6}} accidentally strikes and sinks the ''Ehime-Maru'', a Japanese training vessel operated by the Uwajima Fishery High School.