First Nickelodeon Opens
The first nickelodeon, a form of movie theater that charged a nickel for admission, opened on June 19, 1905, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. These early theaters played short films and were a step in making motion pictures accessible to the wider public, paving the way for the modern movie industry. The nickelodeon was revolutionary in democratizing […]
Juneteenth – Abolition of Slavery Announced in Texas
On June 19, 1865, the abolition of slavery was announced in Texas, the last state in the Confederacy where emancipation was proclaimed, two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. This day, now celebrated as Juneteenth, has become an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, symbolizing freedom […]
Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space
Sally Ride shattered space and gender boundaries on June 18, 1983, when she became the first American woman to travel into space. As a crew member on the Space Shuttle Challenger, STS-7 mission, Ride’s accomplishment not only highlighted the capabilities of women in STEM fields and space exploration but also inspired countless girls to pursue […]
Napoleon Defeated at Waterloo
On June 18, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte faced a crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. This decisive battle marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars and led to Napoleon’s final exile to the remote island of Saint Helena. The coalition forces, led by the Duke of Wellington from Britain and General Gebhard Leberecht […]
War of 1812 Begins
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain, marking the beginning of the War of 1812. Motivated by issues including trade restrictions brought about by Britain’s ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, and conflicts over territory in North America, this war challenged the young […]
Charleston Church Shooting
On the evening of June 17, 2015, a devastating act of violence occurred at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the United States’ oldest black churches. A gunman killed nine African American church members, including senior pastor and state senator Clementa C. Pinckney, during a Bible study session. This […]
France Agrees to Surrender to Nazis
On June 17, 1940, during the throes of World War II, the French government, led by Prime Minister Paul Reynaud, resigned after days of German advances. Marshal Philippe Pétain, who took over from Reynaud, immediately announced his intent to seek an armistice with Nazi Germany. This decision marked the beginning of the end for independent […]
Statue of Liberty Arrives in New York Harbor
On June 17, 1885, the Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States, arrived in New York Harbor aboard the French ship Isère. This monumental statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, was shipped in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 […]
Bob Dylan Records “Like a Rolling Stone”
Bob Dylan recorded “Like a Rolling Stone” on June 16, 1965, a song that would become one of the most influential tracks in the history of popular music. Released as a single later that summer, the song marked a significant departure from Dylan’s earlier folk music style, featuring a rock sound that would come to […]
Ford Motor Company Incorporated
The Ford Motor Company was incorporated on June 16, 1903, by Henry Ford and a group of investors. This pivotal moment in American industry not only led to the mass production of automobiles but also introduced revolutionary production methods, including the assembly line technique. Ford’s vision made cars affordable and accessible to the average American, […]