This Day in History

[Amnorix]

Today...

[Amnorix]

June 2.

455. The Vandals sack Rome. This sack, the second of three Barbarian sacks of Rome, is more thorough than the first, lasting 14 days.

1835. PT Barnum starts his first circus tour of the United States.

1886. Grover Cleveland marries Frances Folsom, becoming the first and only President to wed in the White House (President John Tyler had previously wed, but had done so in NYC). One doubts such a marriage would occur today -- Cleveland was 49 years old, Folsom just 21, at the time of the wedding.

1896. Guglielmo Marconi applies for a patent for his newest invention. Some worthless device called "radio".

1924. Manager Miller Huggins writes out a lineup card replacing first basemen Wally Pipp with Lou Gehrig. Gehrig would apprear on the next 2,130 lineup cards submitted by Yankee managers.

1953. Queen Elizabeth II is coronated.

[Amnorix]

June 3.

1850. "City of Kansas" is incorporated by Jackson County, Missouri.

1937. The Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII of England, marries his mistress Wallis Simpson, an American and two time divorcee. His intention to marry her while still King of England set off a Constitutional crisis in England and its dominions. Ultimately, he determined to resign the throne, which he did six months prior to being married. They were married in France, and no members of the royal family attended. Indeed, the couple would never live in England, and it would be years before Simpson ever saw another member of the royal family.

Simpson was Time's first ever Woman (rather than Man) of the Year, for 1936.



1940. The last British troops leave from Dunkirk, which is captured by the Germans. A total of 338,226 men were successful evacuated, including 137,996 French, Polish and Belgian soldiers. (note, a few French troops were evacuated on June 4). The British escape was not only critical in terms of manpower, but especially in leadership, as the cream of the British Army was evacuated under the Germans' noses, including future Field Marshals Alanbrooke, Alexander and Montgomery.

[DaKCMan AP]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

June 3.

1850. "City of Kansas" is incorporated by Jackson County, Missouri.

1937. The Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII of England, marries his mistress Wallis Simpson, an American and two time divorcee. His intention to marry her while still King of England set off a Constitutional crisis in England and its dominions. Ultimately, he determined to resign the throne, which he did six months prior to being married. They were married in France, and no members of the royal family attended. Indeed, the couple would never live in England, and it would be years before Simpson ever saw another member of the royal family.

Simpson was Time's first ever Woman (rather than Man) of the Year, for 1936.



1940. The last British troops leave from Dunkirk, which is captured by the Germans. A total of 338,226 men were successful evacuated, including 137,996 French, Polish and Belgian soldiers. (note, a few French troops were evacuated on June 4). The British escape was not only critical in terms of manpower, but especially in leadership, as the cream of the British Army was evacuated under the Germans' noses, including future Field Marshals Alanbrooke, Alexander and Montgomery.

1985. DaKCMan AP was born. It was Awesome.

.

[Amnorix]

June 4.

1584. Sir Walter Raleigh establishes the first English colony on Roanoke Island, old Virginia (now North Carolina). And, of course, in case you were wondering why the capital of North Carolina is Raleigh, now you know...

1615. The forces of Tokugawa take Osaka Castle in Japan after a lengthy siege, ending all resistance to the Tokugawa Shogunate which will lead Japan until the Meiji restoration in the late 1800s.

1896. Henry Ford, in a tiny workshop behind his home at 58 Bagley Avenue, Detroit, completes the Ford Quadricycle, his first gasoline powered automobile, and gives it a successful test run. He named it the Quadricycle because the vehicle ran on four bicycle tires, driven by a chain and a four horsepower engine. You can still see the Quadricycle today at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.



1919. The US Congress approves the 19th Amendment, giving the vote to women, and sends it to the states for ratification.

1939. The MS St. Louis is denied port in Florida, after having previously been turned away in Cuba. A German vessel, she is carrying 930 Jewish and 7 non-Jewish refugees seeking to escape Nazi Germany. Efforts to bring the ship to port in Canada are rebuffed by its Prime Minister. Eventually, the ship offloads nearly 300 passengers in England, and the rest in Antwerp where, it is estimated, approximately 200-250 of its passengers end up slain by the Nazis following German occupation of the low countries the following year. The adventures of the ship are memorialized in the 1974 book Voyage of the Damned. (which, for the sake of full disclosure, I have not read and am not familiar with)

1940. Nazi forces enter Paris.

1942. The Battle of Midway begins, it ends in a resounding victory for the United States only 7 months after it had entered the war as a result of Pearl Harbor, when US forces sink four Japanese aircraft carriers to the loss of only one. The loss of so many large carriers and talented aircrews are effectively irreplaceable for Japan, which struggles to build replacements, while US production is rapidly increasing output. In fact, Japan would not be able to assemble so many fleet carriers until 1944 (which carriers had largely inexperienced aircrews). By comparison, the US had commissioned two dozen fleet and light carriers, as well as a number of escort carriers.

As a result, the US effectively seizes the initiative and puts Japan on the defensive.

1989. The People's Liberation Army (China) [lord, the irony...] liberates the people in Tianamen Square against their will, ending the protests of 1989. The event is sometimes known in China as the "June 4th Massacre", but more popularly as the "June 4 Incident". The date "May 35th" is often used by individuals in China to avoid its government's internet censorship.

1989. Solidarity's victory in the (moderately) free elections in Poland spark off Anti-Communist protests across Eastern Europe, and begin what is known as the Autumn of Nations, in which a number of Eastern European nations throw off the shackles of Communism.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

1886. Grover Cleveland marries Frances Folsom, becoming the first and only President to wed in the White House (President John Tyler had previously wed, but had done so in NYC). One doubts such a marriage would occur today -- Cleveland was 49 years old, Folsom just 21, at the time of the wedding.

You have to think that his Cabinet was giving him high-fives and saying stuff like, "Score, dude".

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

You have to think that his Cabinet was giving him high-fives and saying stuff like, "Score, dude".

And no doubt the Vice President at the time, who we all know was Vice President mumblecough was probably thinking "Sweet, my chances of sitting in the big chair just went up dramatically!"

[DaKCMan AP]

June 4, 2010: National Doughnut Day

[Amnorix]

June 5

1851. Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, or Life Among the Lowly, begins publication as a 40 week serial in an abolitionist periodical. Ms. Stowe wrote the book in response to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. As a result of its tremendous popularity, she was convinced to sell it as a book. It was the best selling novel of the 19th century, and the second best selling book, after only the Bible, and had a tremendous influence on the sectional debate that would ultimately lead to the Civil War. It is fair to say that it is one of the most influential novels in human history.

1947. In a speech at Harvard University, Secretary of State (and former 5 star US General) George Marshall calls for economic aid to war torn Europe, in furtherance of our own national security interests, first introducing what will become known as the Marshall Plan.

1967. The Six Day War begins, with Israel launching preemptive attacks on certain of her Arab neighbors.

1968. Robert Kennedy, the brother of former President John Kennedy, who was assassinated in Dallas only five years earlier, is shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles by Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan, and dies the next day. He becomes the third son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy to die. In addition to the John and Robert, their oldest brother Joe Jr., was killed while in the service during WWII. Another child, a daughter, died in a plane crash while only 28 years old.

Sirhan Sirhan planned the murder well in advance, and was fixated on Kennedy and his promise to support Israel. The murder occurred on the one year anniversary of the Six Day War. As of this date, he remains in prison, his sentence having been commuted from death to life imprisonment as a result of a California Supreme Court decision ruling the death penalty in violation of California's Constitution.

1975. The Suez Canal opens for the first time since the Six Days War.

1981. The Centers for Disease Control report that five individuals in teh Los Angeles California area are suffering from a rare form of pneumonia seen only in patients with weakened immune systems. This is effectively the first recognized cases of AIDS.

1989. In response to the Tiananmen Square Massacre, a single man stepped in front of a tank column that was exiting the square. The picture was a sensation. The man survived the experience, but has never been definitively identified by the West, and rumors abound as to who he was and whether he was executed shortly thereafter.

[Amnorix]

June 6. My God...

1644. The Qing Dynasty takes over from the Ming as on this date, Qing forces capture Beijing. The Qing will rule until 1912, when the Republic of China is established.

1844. The YMCA is founded, in London.

1892. Chicago El begins operation.

1925. Chrysler Corporation is founded by Walter Percy Chrysler. No word on whether he was bailed out the following week.

1933. The first Drive-In theater opens, in Camden, New Jersey.

1944. D-Day. Operation Overlord commences the Battle of Normandy, with nearly 155,000 troops hitting the beaches. (more on this later).

1946. The Basketball Association of America is formed in New York City. It contains six teams that are still part of the NBA, which is the organization that was formed when the BBA and NBA merged in 1949. The six team -- Boston Celtics, Minneapolis Lakers, PHiladelphia Warriors (now Golden State Warriors), Fort Wayne Pistons, New York Knickerbockers and the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings). Other teams, such as the Chicago Stags, Detroit Falcons, Indianapolis Jets, Pittsburgh Ironmen, Providence Steamrollers and St. Louis Bombers flame out along the way.

[Amnorix]

Just wanted to note that I had intended a full-blown write up on D-Day, which is what has held me up. But in fear of falling iether further behind, I'm just going to forge ahead here. I hope to backtrack and cover D-Day in more detail later.

[Amnorix]

June 7.

1776. Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, presents the Lee Resolution to the Continental Congress. The motion is seconded by (future President) John Adams, of Massachusetts, and will lead to the Declaration of Independence a few weeks later.
Lee is a member of the famous Lee family of Virginia. His nephew, Light Horse Harry Lee, will become famous as a general serving under Washington, but less famous than his son (and Richard Henry Lee's grand-nephew), Robert E. Lee.

Originally Posted by The Lee Resolution

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.

The Lees are memorialized in the musical 1776.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Tiar8FqXU

1893. Gandhi's first act of civil disobedience.

1965. The US Supreme Court hands down Griswold v. Connecticut. It rules that states cannot infringe on the right of a married couple to use contraceptives. Yes, that's right. In some states in 1965, until this decision was handed down, a husband could not legally buy or use a condom.

1982. Priscilla Presley opens Graceland to the public.

[Amnorix]

June 8

1191. Richard, Coeur de Lion (the LionHearted) arrives in Acre, beginning his crusade. Amusingly, like most English kings of this era, he spoke little or no English having lived (and continuing to live) in the Duchy of Aquitaine in Southern France.

1789. James Madison introduces 12 amendments to the Constitution in the House, ten of which will be ratified and become known as the Bill of Rights. Another is ratified in 1992 and becomes the 27th amendment.

1949. Exemplifying the foolishness of the era, an FBI report names Danny Kaye, Helen Keller, Frederick March, Edward G. Robinson and others as members of the Communist Party.

1959. The USS Barbero, a navy submarine, assists the United States Postal Service in its tests of the delivery of mail by.......wait for it.......................................missile.

Yes, missile mail was attempted by many organizations around the world and never found to work very well. Surprising, really. ON this particular date the Barbero, replaced the nuclear warheads of two missiles with, yes, mail, to effect delivery.

Originally Posted by Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield

"This peacetime employment of a guided missile for the important and practical purpose of carrying mail, is the first known official use of missiles by any Post Office Department of any nation." Summerfield proclaimed the event to be "of historic significance to the peoples of the entire world", and predicted that "before man reaches the moon, mail will be delivered within hours from New York to California, to Britain, to India or Australia by guided missiles. We stand on the threshold of rocket mail."

[Rain Man]

I wonder why missile mail never took off. Maybe they decided that the risk of accidental nuclear holocaust rose whenever people sent mail to the Soviet Union.

[Amnorix]

Maybe I should've named this thread "a date close to this date, in history". I'll start catching up...

[Amnorix]

June 9

Emperor Nero of Rome, all on this date: 53 AD, marries his stepsister Claudia Octavia. 62 AD, executes his wife and stepsister Claudia Octavia (happy Anniversary honey, sorry but I'm having you beheaded). 68 AD, commits suicide.

1650. The Harvard Corporation is established, the first legal corporation in the Americas. It is the more important of Harvard University's two governing boards.

1934. Donald Duck makes his debut in The Wise Little Hen.

1954. Attorney Joseph Welch, special counsel to the United States Army, lashes out at Senator Joseph McCarthy during Senate hearings on whether Communism had infiltrated the Army. Welch was taking a stand defending a young attorney at his law firm. McCarthy's antics, and Welch's rebukes, were quickly spread nationally via the new medium of television.

Originally Posted by Joseph Welch

Until this moment, Senator, I think I have never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. Fred Fisher is a young man who went to the Harvard Law School and came into my firm and is starting what looks to be a brilliant career with us. Little did I dream you could be so reckless and so cruel as to do an injury to that lad. It is true that he will continue to be with Hale and Dorr. It is, I regret to say, equally true that I fear he shall always bear a scar needlessly inflicted by you. If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty I would do so. I like to think that I am a gentle man but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me.

Originally Posted by Joseph Welch

Senator, may we not drop this? We know he belonged to the Lawyers Guild. Let us not assassinate this lad further, Senator. You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?

The comments drew applause from the gallary. The answer to Welch's question, of course, was that McCarthy in fact had no decency. Had never had. McCarthy had already been under fire from fellow Senators, and Welch's remarks drove the point home. Within six months he was formally censured by the Senate. Within three years he was dead, at the age of 48. The official cause of death was acute hepatitis, but it was rumored that his rampant alchoholism had finally caught up with him.

Fred Fisher, the young attorney who was slandered by McCarthy and whom Welch was defending, went on to have a brilliant legal career at Welch's law firm of Hale and Dorr, becoming a partner and serving as President of the Massachusetts Bar Association in 1973-74.

1959. The USS George Washington, the first submarine to carry ballistic missiles, is launched.