Börse Berlin building burns down after being hit in an air raid during World War II.

Börse Berlin AG, commonly known as the Berlin Stock Exchange, is a stock exchange based in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf borough of Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1685 by an edict of Elector Friedrich Wilhelm, it is one of the oldest stock exchanges in Germany.

World War II or the Second World War was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilising all resources in pursuit of total war. Tanks and aircraft played major roles, enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the first and only nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II is the deadliest conflict in history, causing the death of 70 to 85 million people, more than half of whom were civilians. Millions died in genocides, including the Holocaust, and by massacres, starvation, and disease. After the Allied victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and German and Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes.

May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 221 days remain until the end of the year.