First Roller Coaster in America Opens
On June 16, 1884, the first commercial roller coaster in America, known as the Switchback Railway, opened to the public at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. Designed by LaMarcus Adna Thompson, this early thrill ride was quite modest by modern standards, traveling at just six miles per hour, but it sparked America’s interest in […]
U.S. Congress Passes the Espionage Act
On June 15, 1917, during World War I, the United States Congress passed the Espionage Act. This act made it a crime to convey information with intent to interfere with the U.S. armed forces’ operations or to promote the success of the country’s enemies. Designed to prevent support of U.S. enemies during wartime, the Espionage […]
First African American Graduate of West Point
Henry Ossian Flipper became the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 15, 1877. Despite facing severe discrimination and social isolation during his time at the academy, Flipper persevered and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. His achievement marked a significant, though […]
King John Puts His Seal on Magna Carta
On June 15, 1215, King John of England placed his royal seal on the Magna Carta at Runnymede, near Windsor. This document, forced upon him by his rebellious barons, limited the power of the monarchy, establishing the principle that the king was not above the law. The Magna Carta is often regarded as a fundamental […]
The Case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard
On June 14, 2015, Dee Dee Blanchard was found stabbed to death in her home in Springfield, Missouri. Her daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, was initially thought to be missing but was later found in Wisconsin and charged with her mother’s murder. The case revealed that Dee Dee had subjected Gypsy Rose to years of medical […]
Falklands War Ends
The Falklands War came to an end on June 14, 1982, when Argentine forces in the Falkland Islands surrendered to British forces. The conflict began on April 2, 1982, when Argentina invaded the Falklands, a small archipelago in the South Atlantic claimed by both Argentina and the United Kingdom. The war lasted ten weeks and […]
Congress Adopts the Stars and Stripes
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution establishing an official flag for the new nation: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” This decision marked the […]
The Pentagon Papers Published
The New York Times began publishing excerpts from “The Pentagon Papers” on June 13, 1971. These classified documents detailed the United States’ political and military involvement in Vietnam from 1945 to 1967 and were leaked by former military analyst Daniel Ellsberg. The publication exposed government secrets and lies about the Vietnam War, leading to a […]
Miranda Rights Established
On June 13, 1966, the United States Supreme Court delivered its decision in Miranda v. Arizona, establishing the Miranda rights. This landmark ruling required police to inform suspects of their rights to an attorney and against self-incrimination before questioning them. This decision was a critical development in U.S. law enforcement and civil liberties, aiming to […]
Death of Alexander the Great
On June 13, 323 B.C., Alexander the Great died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon, at the age of 32. Alexander’s death marked the end of an era in which he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to northwestern India. His conquests spread Greek culture […]