Aaron Burr Slays Alexander Hamilton in Duel
On July 11, 1804, one of the most infamous duels in American history took place between Aaron Burr, the sitting Vice President, and Alexander Hamilton, the former Secretary of the Treasury. The duel occurred in Weehawken, New Jersey, on a secluded ledge along the Hudson River, a popular dueling ground of the time. The confrontation […]
Misty Copeland Becomes First Black Principal Dancer
Misty Copeland made history on June 30, 2015, when she was promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theater (ABT), becoming the first African American woman to hold this position in the company’s 75-year history. Her achievement marked a significant moment in the world of classical ballet, which had long been criticized for its lack […]
“Gone With the Wind” Published
“Gone With the Wind,” a novel by Margaret Mitchell, was published on June 30, 1936. This epic historical romance set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era became one of the most popular books of its time. It received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and was later adapted into […]
Spanish Retreat from Aztec Capital
On June 30, 1520, during a pivotal moment in the Spanish conquest of Mexico, known as “La Noche Triste” (The Sad Night), Hernán Cortés and his forces made a desperate and deadly retreat from Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital. The retreat followed a series of intense conflicts between the Spanish and the Aztec people, under the […]
U.S. Space Shuttle Docks with Russian Space Station
In a significant demonstration of post-Cold War international cooperation, the U.S. Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Russian space station Mir on June 29, 1995. This event marked the first shuttle-Mir rendezvous and began a series of joint missions known as the Shuttle-Mir Program. The collaboration not only helped pave the way for the International […]
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 […]