Supreme Court Strikes Down Death Penalty
On June 29, 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its decision in Furman v. Georgia, effectively striking down the death penalty across the nation and changing the landscape of capital punishment. The court ruled that the death penalty, as administered at the time, constituted “cruel and unusual punishment” in violation of the Eighth and Fourteenth […]
The Globe Theatre Burns Down
On June 29, 1613, the original Globe Theatre in London, famously associated with William Shakespeare, was destroyed by fire during a performance of “Henry VIII.” A theatrical cannon, used for special effects, misfired and ignited the wooden beams and thatching. Despite the destruction, the Globe Theatre was quickly rebuilt the following year and continued to […]
Bald Eagle Removed from List of Threatened Species
On June 28, 2007, the bald eagle, America’s national symbol, was officially removed from the list of threatened and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This milestone reflected decades of conservation efforts, including habitat protection and the banning of harmful pesticides like DDT. The recovery of the bald eagle population from the brink of […]
The Stonewall Riots Begin
The Stonewall Riots, a series of spontaneous demonstrations, began on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village. These riots are widely considered to be the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States and around the world. Sparked by a police raid, the protests and violent […]
Helen Keller Graduates from Radcliffe
On June 28, 1904, Helen Keller graduated from Radcliffe College, becoming the first deafblind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her remarkable achievement shattered prevailing misconceptions about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities and marked a significant milestone in advocating for the rights and education of disabled persons. Keller’s perseverance and success have […]
Route 66 Decertified, Highway Signs Removed
On June 27, 1985, the iconic Route 66 was officially decertified, with the highway signs being removed. Once known as the “Main Street of America,” Route 66 had connected Chicago to Los Angeles since 1926, serving as a vital path for westward migration, especially during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. By the mid-1980s, the […]
Ebola Breaks Out in Sudan
The first recorded outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred on June 27, 1976, in Sudan (concurrently with an outbreak in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo). This outbreak marked the world’s introduction to Ebola, a severe and often fatal illness in humans. The virus’s emergence challenged the global health community due to its high […]
President Truman Orders U.S. Forces to Korea
On June 27, 1950, in response to the North Korean invasion of South Korea, President Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. forces to assist South Korea, marking America’s official entry into the Korean War. This decision was pivotal in escalating the conflict into a broader international crisis involving the United Nations. The move was based on […]
Same-sex Marriage Legalized Nationwide in the U.S.
On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, ruling that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment. This landmark decision required all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all American territories to perform and recognize the marriages of same-sex couples on the same terms […]
First Item Scanned with a UPC Barcode
The first commercial scanning of an item with a Universal Product Code (UPC) barcode occurred on June 26, 1974, at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The item, a pack of Wrigley’s chewing gum, marked the beginning of an era that would revolutionize the retail industry and consumer behavior. Barcodes dramatically improved the efficiency of checkout […]