April 1, 1976
April 2, 1513
April 3, 1860
April 6, 1917
April 7, 1913
April 8, 1974
April 9, 1959
April 10, 1790
April 13, 1970
April 14, 1848
April 15, 1912
April 16, 1912
April 17, 1790
April 20, 1841
April 21, 1910
April 22, 1509
April 23, 1616
April 24, 1800
April 27, 1521
April 28, 1992
April 29, 1429
April 30, 1939
May 1, 1931
May 4, 1959
May 5, 1925
May 6, 1954
May 7, 1994
May 8, 1902
May 11, 1981
May 13, 1568
May 14, 1904
May 15, 1862
May 18, 1642
May 19, 1588
May 20, 1932
May 21, 1455
May 26, 1521
May 27, 1937
May 28, 1929
May 29, 1953
une 1, 1980
June 2, 1886
June 4, 1892
June 8, 1983
June 9, 1870
June 10, 1935
June 11, 1770
June 12, 1963
June 15, 1992
June 16, 1487
June 17, 1885
June 18, 1928
June 19, 1865
June 22, 1969
June 23, 1995
June 24, 1997
June 25, 1997
June 26, 2000
June 29, 1613
June 30, 1859
- Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer.
- April Fool's Day
- Cigarette Ads Banned from Radio & TV (1970)
- Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) A Russian pianist, composer, and conductor, Sergei Rachmaninoff is most famous for the works Piano Concerto No. 2 andRhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (1934). His early work was influenced by Tchaikovsky. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, Rachmaninoff and his family left Russia, never to return. He spent the rest of his life in Europe and the United States.
April 2, 1513
- Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed in Florida.
- Author Hans Christian Andersen's Birthday (1805)
- International Children's Book Day
- Philadelphia Mint Authorized (1792)
- World Autism Awareness Day
- Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (1834-1904) French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi created many monumental sculptures. He is best known for designing the Statue of Liberty, originally known as Liberty Enlightening the World.
April 3, 1860
- First Pony Express service began.
- Scientist Jane Goodall's Birthday(1934)
- Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom (1926-1967) A U.S. Air Force pilot and Korean War veteran, Virgil Ivan "Gus" Grissom was chosen as one of the seven Project Mercury astronauts. In 1961, Grissom completed his first space flight aboard Liberty Bell 7. In 1965, he was the command pilot for Gemini 3. Grissom was the second American to fly in space and the first man to fly in space twice.
April 6, 1917
- U.S. declared war on Germany and entered World War I.
- First Modern Olympics (1896)
- North Pole First Reached (1909)
- Tartan Day
- Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520) An admired painter and architect, Raffaello Sanzio was one of the most famous artists of Italy's High Renaissance. He is best known for his Madonnas and large-scale paintings in the Vatican.
April 7, 1913
- Some 5,000 suffragists march to the Capitol in Washington, D.C., seeking the vote for women.
- Singer Billie Holiday's Birthday (1915)
- U.N. World Health Day
- Willaim Wordsworth (1770-1850) Poet William Wordsworth was a prominent figure in the Romantic movement in English literature. He is best known as the author of "Tintern Abbey." From 1843 until his death, he served as England's Poet Laureate.
April 8, 1974
- Henry "Hank" Aaron hit the 715th home run of his career, breaking Babe Ruth's record of 714.
- 17th Amendment Ratified (1913)
- Mary Pickford (1892-1979) An internationally famous silent film actress, Canadian-born Mary Pickford was a pioneer in early Hollywood. In 1919, she co-founded the film studio United Artists. Her performance inCoquette (1929) won her an Academy Award for Best Actress, and in 1976 she received an Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement.
April 9, 1959
- NASA announced the selection of America's first astronauts. They included Alan Shepard and John Glenn.
- Civil War Ended (1865)
- First Full-Color Film Shown (1914)
- Name Yourself Day
- Eadweard J. Muybridge (1830-1904) A pioneer in photography, Eadweard Muybridge used multiple cameras to capture motion. He is well-known for his landscape photography and for capturing the motion of a galloping horse. Muybridge invented the zoopraxiscope, an early motion-picture device that projects images in rapid succession.
April 10, 1790
- The U.S. patent system was formed.
- Encourage a Young Writer Day
- Publisher Joseph Pulitzer's Birthday(1847)
- James "Jim" Bowie (1796-1836) A folk hero in Texas history, James "Jim" Bowie was known for his fearlessness. He played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution, commanding volunteer forces at the Alamo. He died in the Battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836.
April 13, 1970
- The crew of Apollo 13 announced "Houston, we've got a problem," when an oxygen tank burst en route to the Moon.
- Oxygen Tank Burst on Apollo 13(1970)
- Pres. Thomas Jefferson's Birthday(1743)
- Eudora Welty (1909-2001) Photographer, novelist, and distinguished short-story writer Eudora Welty wrote about the American South. She won the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel The Optimist's Daughter. In addition to numerous writing awards, she received the highest civilian award in the United States—the Presidential Medal of Freedom—from Ronald Reagan.
April 14, 1848
- Noah Webster copyrighted the first edition of his dictionary.
- Abraham Lincoln Assassinated(1865)
- The Titanic Hit Iceberg (1912)
- Webster's First Dictionary Copyrighted (1828)
- Anne Sullivan Macy (1866-1936) Though she had a difficult childhood, Anne Sullivan Macy persevered and graduated as valedictorian from Perkins School for the Blind. An American educator, she is well known as Helen Keller's teacher and companion. Their friendship began in 1887 when she became Helen Keller's governess.
April 15, 1912
- On its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, the Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland after striking an iceberg.
- Artist Leonardo da Vinci's Birthday(1452)
- Boston Marathon Terrorist Attack(2013)
- Holocaust Remembrance Day Begins at Sundown
- Jackie Robinson Day
- Poison Prevention Week
- Henry James (1843-1916) A novelist, playwright, and literary critic, Henry James remains a prominent figure in realistic fiction. His notable works includeDaisy Miller, The Turn of the Screw, The Portrait of a Lady, and Washington Square.
April 16, 1912
- Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.
- Aviation Pioneer Wilbur Wright's Birthday (1867)
- Ice Hockey Player Wayne Gretzky Retired (1999)
- Garth Williams (1912-1996) American artist Garth Williams is renowned for his children's book illustrations. His most famous works includeStuart Little, Charlotte's Web, and the first eight Little House books.
April 17, 1790
- Benjamin Franklin, U.S. patriot, diplomat, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died in Philadelphia.
- Daffy Duck Debuted (1937)
- Ford Mustang Debuted (1964)
- John Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) John Pierpont Morgan, well known as the manager of the banking house J. P. Morgan & Company, was a successful financier, banker, and art collector. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, he reorganized troubled businesses and arranged the mergers that formed the United States Steel Corporation—the world's first billion-dollar corporation—and General Electric.
April 20, 1841
- Edgar Allen Poe's "Murders in the Rue Morgue," the first detective story, was published.
- Columbine High School Shooting Killed 15 (1999)
- First Game Played at Fenway Park(1912)
- Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (2010)
- George R. Stibitz (1904-1995) A mathematician and inventor, George Stibitz is considered a father of the modern digital computer. He led the team that developed a Complex Number Calculator at Bell Labs and went on to write computer applications for the medical field. Stibitz was inducted in to the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1983.
April 21, 1910
- Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), author of the novel Huckleberry Finn, died at age 74.
- City of Rome Founded (753 BC)
- Elizabeth II (1926- ) The daughter of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2, 1953. She is Head of State of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms.
April 22, 1509
- Henry VIII became King of England.
- Earth Day
- First Earth Day Observed (1970)
- Jelly Bean Day
- Isabella I (1451-1504) Isabella I of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon laid the foundation for the unification of Spain. The Catholic Monarchs are also known for leading the Spanish Inquisition and sponsoring Christopher Columbus's expeditions.
April 23, 1616
- Playwright William Shakespeare died in Stratford-on-Avon, England.
- Playwright William Shakespeare's Birthday (1564)
- Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day
- World Book & Copyright Day
- YouTube Launched (2005)
- Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) Russian pianist and conductor Sergei Prokofiev was one of the most famous composers of the 20th century. He wrote symphonies, operas, ballets, film scores, and violin and piano concertos. Some of his most popular compositions include Symphony No. 1, Symphony No. 5, Piano Concerto No. 3,Romeo and Juliet, and Peter and the Wolf.
April 24, 1800
- The Library of Congress was established.
- Library of Congress Established(1800)
- Mailbox Inventor Born (1815)
- Spain Declared War on U.S. (1898)
- Anthony Trollope (1815-1882) A prolific writer, Anthony Trollope's first career was spent working for the postal service in England and Ireland. He achieved major literary success in 1855 when he published The Warden, the first of six novels in the Chronicles of Barsetshire series. Trollope went on to become one of the most successful English novelists of the Victorian era.
April 27, 1521
- Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in a fight with natives in the Philippines.
- Activist Coretta Scott King's Birthday(1927)
- Tell a Story Day
- York Captured by U.S. (1813)
- Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1895) A Union general during the U.S. Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant was elected the 18th President of the United States in 1868. He served two terms. His highly praised memoirs, completed shortly before his death, focus on his military career.
April 28, 1992
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled its first food pyramid, which described how much of each food group a typical American should eat.
- Maryland Admission Day (1788)
- Pres. James Monroe's Birthday (1758)
- Harper Lee (1926-) American author Harper Lee is famous for writing the Pulitzer-Prize-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Published in 1960 and adapted to film in 1962, the book was her first.
April 29, 1429
- Joan of Arc entered the city of Orléans, France. She would end its months-long siege and would become known as the "Maid of Orléans."
- International Dance Day
- Musician Duke Ellington's Birthday(1899)
- Prince William Married Kate Middleton(2011)
- Zipper Patented (1842)
- Duke Ellington (1899-1974) One of the most famous figures in American jazz, pianist and orchestra leader Duke Ellington composed more than 2,000 pieces of music during his lifetime. In addition to winning numerous Grammy Awards, Ellington was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 1965 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969.
April 30, 1939
- U.S. commercial television made its official debut at the New York World's Fair. The signal was transmitted from the Empire State Building.
- International Jazz Day
- Louisiana Admission Day (1812)
- Railroader Casey Jones Died (1900)
- Vietnam War Ended (1975)
- Isiah Thomas (1961- )One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, Isiah Thomas was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. During his time with the Detroit Pistons, he led them to two NBA titles. He retired from the NBA in 1994 and became a coach.
May 1, 1931
- The Empire State Building opened in New York City. At 102 stories, it would be the world's tallest building for the next 41 years.
- Empire State Building Opened (1931)
- May Day
- Tim McGraw (1967 - ) A country music singer and an actor, Tim McGraw has won numerous Country Music Association Awards, Grammy Awards, and People's Choice Awards. His songs and albums often top the pop and country music charts. His most popular songs include "Live Like You Were Dying," "I Like It, I Love It," and "My Next Thirty Years."
May 4, 1959
- The first Grammy Awards were handed out in a ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
- Children's Book Week
- Freedom Riders Left D.C. for New Orleans (1961)
- International Firefighters Day
- Screen-Free Week
- Teacher Appreciation Week
- Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) Biologist Thomas Henry Huxley advocated Darwin's theory of evolution and helped develop scientific education in England.
May 5, 1925
- John Scopes was arrested in Tennessee for teaching Darwinism.
- Cinco de Mayo (Mexico)
- First American in Space (1961)
- John Scopes Arrested for Teaching Darwinism (1926)
- National Teacher Day
- World Asthma Day
- Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman (1864-1922) Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman went by the pseudonym Nellie Bly. A highly regarded investigative journalist, she is also well known for circling the globe in a record 72 days.
May 6, 1954
- British athlete Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes (3:59:40).
- Hindenburg Disaster (1937)
- International No Diet Day
- Lag BaOmer (Jewish Festival) Begins at Sundown
- Psychiatrist Sigmund Freud's Birthday(1856)
- School Nurse Day
- Willie Mays (1931 -) Willie Mays is considered one of the greatest players in baseball history. During his career he hit 660 home runs, made 24 appearances in the All-Star Game, and won 12 Gold Glove Awards. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979.
May 7, 1994
- Edvard Munch's painting, The Scream, was recovered a few months after it had been stolen from the National Gallery of Norway.
- Composer Peter Tchaikovsky's Birthday (1840)
- Lusitania Sunk (1915)
- Edwin H. Land (1909-1991) A scientist and inventor, Edwin H. Land co-founded the Polaroid Corporation. He developed technology for the first commercial instant camera and held more than 500 patents.
May 8, 1902
- Mount Pelé on Martinique erupted, destroying the town of St. Pierre and killing 40,000 people.
- Pres. Harry S. Truman's Birthday(1884)
- VE Day (1945)
- World Red Cross Day
- Joselito (1895-1920) One of the greatest matadors of all time, Joselito was a child prodigy who came from a family of bullfighters. He was major figure during the Golden Age of Bullfighting.
May 11, 1981
- Reggae performer Bob Marley died of cancer in Miami at the age of 36.
- Minnesota Admission Day (1858)
- Sports Writer Mike Lupica's Birthday(1952)
- Salvador Dali (1904-1989) Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dalí is known for his eccentricity. His most famous works include The Persistence of Memory,Mae West Lips Sofa, andLobster Telephone.
May 13, 1568
- Mary Queen of Scots was defeated at the Battle of Langside and immediately fled to North England from Scotland.
- Pope John Paul II Shot & Wounded(1981)
- U.S. Declared War on Mexico (1846)
- Sir Arthur S, Sullivan (1842-1900) A famous 19th-century English composer and organist, Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan collaborated with W. S. Gilbert on many comic operas. He also composed oratorios and hymns and was a noted conductor. His best-known works include Pirates of Penzance,H.M.S. Pinafore, and "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
May 14, 1904
- The Olympic Games were held in the United States for the first time, in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Ascension Day (Christian Feast Day)
- First Olympic Games Held in U.S.(1904)
- First U.S. Space Station Launched(1973)
- Lewis and Clark Expedition Began(1803)
- Grorge Lucas (1944-) One of the most famous film directors, producers, and screenwriters of all time, George Lucas is best known for the Star Warsfranchise and Indiana Jones films. He is a four-time Academy Award nominee and recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.
May 15, 1862
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture was created by an act of Congress.
- First Air Mail Route Established in U.S.(1918)
- International Day of Families
- Madeline Albright (1937-)A former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, diplomat Madeleine Albright is best known as the first female U.S. secretary of state (1997-2001). She is multilingual and a highly respected figure in international relations.
May 18, 1642
- The city of Montreal was founded by the French.
- Backyard Games Week
- International Museum Day
- Mount St. Helens Erupted (1980)
- Pope John Paul II's Birthday (1920)
- Reggie Jackson (1946-) A right fielder known for his post-season hitting prowess, Reggie Jackson played on five World Series-winning teams. He hit 563 career home runs and was inducted in to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.
May 19, 1588
- The 130-vessel Spanish Armada set sail for England; it was defeated in August.
- New England Confederation Formed(1643)
- Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965) Playwright and author Lorraine Hansberry is best known for A Raisin in the Sun. She was the first African-American woman to have a play produced on Broadway.
May 20, 1932
- Amelia Earhart took off from Newfoundland and became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic.
- Charles Lindbergh Began Transatlantic Flight (1927)
- First Lady Dolley Madison's Birthday(1768)
- Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) A French novelist and playwright, Honoré de Balzac is best known for his astute depiction of French society in La Comédie humaine, an extensive collection of novels and short stories.
May 21, 1455
- The first battle in the 30-year War of Roses took place at St. Albans, England.
- Buy a Musical Instrument Day
- International Day for Biological Diversity
- Pres. Nixon Visited the Soviet Union(1972)
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) A physician and prolific writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is best known for his stories about detective Sherlock Holmes. The Scottish author also wrote historical novels, romances, works of nonfiction, and political pamphlets.
May 26, 1521
- The writings of Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Reformation, were banned by the Edict of Worms.
- Astronaut Sally Ride's Birthday(1951)
- Photographer Dorothea Lange's Birthday (1895)
- Miles Davis (1926-1991) One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis rose to fame as a jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. His most popular work, Kind of Blue, is the best-selling jazz album in history.
May 27, 1937
- The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco opened.
- Environmentalist Rachel Carson's Birthday (1907)
- First Recorded Witch Execution(1647)
- Golden Gate Bridge Opened (1937)
- St. Petersburg Founded (1703)
- Marijane Meaker (1927-) M.E. Kerr is one of several pen names of novelist and short-story writer Marijane Meaker. Using this pen name, she has published more than 20 novels for young adults, including Slap Your Sides,Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack!, andGentlehands. Meaker has also written mystery novels, works of nonfiction, and children's books under different pseudonyms.
May 28, 1929
- The first all-color, full-length talking picture, On With the Show!, debuted, in New York City.
- Athlete Jim Thorpe's Birthday (1888)
- Linda Finch Completed Earhart's Flight Around the World (1997)
- Sierra Club Founded (1892)
- Ian Fleming (1908-1964) Author and journalist Ian Fleming is best known for creating the character James Bond. His spy novels became one of the best-selling book series of all time. Fleming also wrote the children's book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car.
May 29, 1953
- Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
- Hillary and Tenzing Reached Mt. Everest Summit (1953)
- Rhode Island Admission Day (1790)
- Wisconsin Admission Day (1848)
- John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) The 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy was the youngest man (at age 43) elected to this office. Before his presidency, he served in the U.S. Navy (1941–1945), the House of Representatives (1947–1953), and the Senate (1953–1960). In 1963, he was assassinated while riding in a motorcade through Dallas.
une 1, 1980
- The Cable News Network (CNN) debuted.
- Kentucky Admission Day (1792)
- Stand for Children Day
- Tennessee Admission Day (1796)
- Alanis Morissette (1974-) An actress, singer, and songwriter, she was a teenager when she won her first Juno music award. The seven-time Grammy winner has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.
June 2, 1886
- Grover Cleveland became the first U.S. president to get married in the White House.
- American Indians Granted U.S. Citizenship (1924)
- Radio Patented (1896)
- USDA Introduces MyPlate Nutrition Guidelines (2011)
- Martha Washington (1731-1802) Martha Washington was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. She was married and widowed once before she met George and had four children with her first husband, though two of them died in childhood.
June 4, 1892
- The Sierra Club, led by John Muir, was incorporated in San Francisco.
- First Supermarket Cart Introduced(1937)
- Angelina Jolie (1975- ) An Academy Award-winning American actress and a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Angelina Jolie is the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. Jolie is as well-known for adopting several children from countries around the world with partner Brad Pitt as she is for her films.
June 8, 1983
- Negro Baseball League great Satchel Paige died.
- World Oceans Day
- Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) One of the greatest American architects in history, Frank Lloyd Wright's innovative and stylish designs (such as open floor plans in U.S. houses) have since become industry standards. His most well-known buildings include The Larkin Office Building in Buffalo, N.Y., "Taliesin West" in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
June 9, 1870
- Author Charles Dickens died.
- Hong Kong Leased to UK for 99 Years(1898)
- Peter the Great (1672-1725) The Czar of Russia from 1682 to 1725, Russia was at war throughout most of his reign. Peter the Great is credited with attempting to Westernize his country – for better or worse, depending on the opinions of his countrymen.
June 10, 1935
- Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by "Bill W."
- Ballpoint Pen Patented (1943)
- Maurice Sendak (1928-2012) Maurice Sendak, an American children's book writer and illustrator, was best known for his classic story Where the Wild Things Are, which features beautiful, fantasy-driven drawings. He wrote over 30 books for kids in his career.
June 11, 1770
- Capt. James Cook discovered the Great Barrier Reef off Australia.
- Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau's Birthday (1910)
- John Constable (1776-1837) One of the leading English landscape painters of the 19th century, Constable was especially well known for his paintings of the countryside of Suffolk, Hampstead, Salisbury, and Brighton in England.
June 12, 1963
- Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was fatally shot in front of his home in Jackson, Mississippi.
- Anne Frank's Birthday (1929)
- Diary Day
- Pres. George H. W. Bush's Birthday(1924)
- Anne Frank (1929-1945) Anne Frank was a Jewish girl and only 13 years old when she was forced to go into hiding during the Holocaust. She and her family, along with four others, spent 25 months during World War II in an annex of rooms above her father's office in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, before they were found by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps. Anne did not survive, but her diary, which she kept the entire time she was in captivity, did.
June 15, 1992
- Vice President Dan Quayle famously misspelled "potato" as "potatoe."
- Arkansas Admission Day (1836)
- Oregon Boundary Treaty Signed(1846)
- Ramon Lopez Velarde (1888-1921) A Mexican poet known for his post-revolutionary content and subject matter, Ramón López Velarde was once the national poet of Mexico. Most critics agree that his major work wasZozobra. He died at just 33.
June 16, 1487
- The Battle of Stoke ended the War of the Roses.
- Valentina Tereshkova First Woman in Space (1963)
- Joyce Carol Oates (1938- ) A prolific American writer of more than 50 novels and numerous short stories, poems, and essays, Joyce Carol Oates has won many prestigious awards, including the O. Henry and National Book Awards; she's also been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her most famous works include We Were the Mulvaneys, "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?", Foxfire, and Blonde.
June 17, 1885
- The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City aboard the French ship Isere.
- Artist M.C. Escher's Birthday (1898) M.C. Escher was a Dutch artist known for playing with impossible perspectives, infinity, architecture, and tessellations. His mathematical and graphical designs were often created as lithographs and woodcuts.
June 18, 1928
- Aviator Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She completed the flight from Newfoundland to Wales in about 21 hours.
- Napoleon Defeated at Battle of Waterloo (1815)
- Ramadan Begins
- Sally Ride First American Woman in Space (1983)
- War of 1812 Began (1812)
- Paul McCartney (1942-) A British singer, composer, and pianist and member of the world-famous rock band, The Beatles. Some of the songs he wrote with the band include "Yesterday," "Eleanor Rigby," and "Hey Jude." After the band broke up in 1970, McCartney began a very successful solo career.
June 19, 1865
- Gen. Gordon Granger informed the citizens of Galveston, Tex., that the slaves were freed. The celebration of the day became known as Juneteenth.
- First Official Game of Baseball (1846)
- Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) An American baseball player, Lou Gehrig played first base for the New York Yankees from 1925 until 1939, breaking a variety of major-league records and winning the MVP award four times. Gehrig was stricken with a rare form of paralysis called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), now commonly called Lou Gehrig's Disease.
June 22, 1969
- Singer-actress Judy Garland died.
- Explorer George Vancouver's Birthday(1757)
- Pledge of Allegiance Recognized by Congress (1942)
- Dianne Feinstein (1933-) California's senior senator, Dianne Feinstein, is known for her no-nonsense, bipartisan approach to enacting legislation. Feinstein was the mayor of San Francisco from 1979–1987 and is credited with revitalizing the city's troubled economy and reducing the crime rate by nearly 30 percent. She has been serving in the U.S. Senate since 1992.
June 23, 1995
- Dr. Jonas Salk, the medical pioneer who developed the first polio vaccine, died.
- Athlete Wilma Rudolph's Birthday(1940-1994) A track and field star, Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in the 1960 Olympics and a silver medal at the 1956 Games. Rudolph overcame great odds to become such a powerful athlete: she suffered from polio as a child and wore leg braces until the age of nine.
June 24, 1997
- The U.S. Air Force released The Roswell Report, closing the case on the 1947 Roswell, N.M. incident concerning UFOs and alien bodies.
- Term "Flying Saucers" First Used(1947)
- Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914?) Ambrose Bierce was an American satirist whose famous work, The Devil's Dictionary, reinterpreted words in the English language and gave them humorous new definitions. Bierce wrote fiction as well, including the short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge." In 1913 Bierce traveled to Mexico to research the country's revolution and disappeared without a trace shortly after.
June 25, 1997
- Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau died.
- Author Eric Carle's Birthday (1929)
- Author George Orwell's Birthday(1903-1950) An English novelist and essayist, George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair in India, is best known for his satirical novel about communism, Animal Farm, and the novel 1984, which includes themes of dehumanization, isolation, loneliness, and abuse of power. Orwell also wrote literary criticism and poetry.
June 26, 2000
- The first map of the human genome, which required decoding more than 3 billion biochemical "letters" of human DNA, is completed.
- Bicycle Patented (1819)
- First Map of Human Genome Completed (2000)
- Inventor of the Thermometer Born(1824)
- Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) Pearl S. Buck, an American novelist, spent much of her early years living in China and is therefore known for writing vivid, sympathetic novels about life in China. One of these books, The Good Earth, a "rags to riches" story about a Chinese peasant, earned Buck the Pulitzer Prize in 1931. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938, the first American woman to receive this honor.
June 29, 1613
- London's Globe Theatre burned down during a performance of Shakespeare's Henry VIII.
- Remote Control Introduced (1964)
- Shakespeare's Theater Destroyed by Fire (1613)
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) A French aviator and writer, Saint-Exupéry was a commercial pilot for much of his life, and published stories about freedom of choice and individual responsibility. The classic fable Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) was his last published work, and is beloved by both children and adults. Saint-Exupéry was lost in action while working as a military pilot in World War II.
June 30, 1859
- French acrobat Charles Blondin, AKA Jean Francois Gravelet, walked across Niagara Falls on a tightrope.
- 26th Amendment Changed Voting Age(1971)
- Meteor Day
- Lena Horne (1917-2010) A jazz singer and actress in the 1940s, Lena Horne's most famous song was the jazz standard "Stormy Weather." Horne, who was African American, helped to break racial barriers in music and film. She was the first African-American woman to sign a long-term movie contract with a major studio, but famously her scenes were shot so they could be removed from the films before being released in the South. She was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989.