Thursday, July 4

Month: June 2024

June 30th: Siberian Forest Scorched By Meteor Explosion
30Jun By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments
Science & Industry

June 30th: Siberian Forest Scorched By Meteor Explosion

What Happened On June 30th? On June 30, 1908, the quiet forest near the Tunguska River's met with an explosion so massive that it flattened approximately 2,000 square kilometers of woodland. Known as the Tunguska Event, the devastation most likely resulted from the explosion of an asteroid or comet, making it the largest impact event in recorded history. Fire In The Sky! Early in the morning, the indigenous Evenki people and Russian settlers in the region saw a fireball streak across the sky. Witnesses described it as a blinding light, moving swiftly and growing increasingly intense. Moments later, a massive explosion shook the earth. The force of the blast knocked people off their feet, shattered windows, and sent a shockwave that circled the globe twice. In the days followin...
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June 29th: Apple Released The First Ever iPhone To The Public
29Jun By Professor Mei X. Chen, M.A., Literature ScholarNo Comments
Science & Industry

June 29th: Apple Released The First Ever iPhone To The Public

What Happened On June 29th? On January 9, 2007, at the Macworld conference in San Francisco, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveil the first iPhone. This sleek, touchscreen device changed not just the phone industry but daily interactions with technology. The Core Of The Apple Steve Jobs, dressed in his trademark black turtleneck and jeans, began his keynote speech with characteristic flair. He spoke of three new products: a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a mobile phone, and an internet communicator. The audience watched in awe as Jobs revealed that these were not three separate devices but one device—the iPhone. "Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone," he proclaimed. This new device combined an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator into a single, elegant package. The ...
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June 28th: Archduke Ferdinand & Wife Assassinated, Beginning WWI
28Jun By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments
World History

June 28th: Archduke Ferdinand & Wife Assassinated, Beginning WWI

What Happened On June 28th? On June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, a single gunshot plunged the world into unprecedented conflict. The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie ended two lives and ignited the fuse for World War I. The Fatal Visit Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, arrived in Sarajevo with his wife Sophie for an official visit. The city, part of the empire's volatile Balkan territories, simmered with ethnic tensions and nationalist fervor. The couple's visit aimed to demonstrate Austro-Hungarian strength and unity, but it turned into a tragic moment in history. Plotting Armageddon Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist group, had carefully planned the assassination with other conspirators. T...
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June 27th: The First Ever Ebola Victim Became Sick
27Jun By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments
World History

June 27th: The First Ever Ebola Victim Became Sick

What Happened On June 27th? On June 27, 1976, in the quiet township of Nzara, Sudan, a factory storekeeper fell ill, unknowingly becoming the first victim of what would soon be known as one of the deadliest viruses in human history: Ebola. Viral Dawn & The First Infections Nzara, a small town known for its cotton factory, bustled with routine activity that morning. The storekeeper went about his usual tasks, but by afternoon, he suffered from severe symptoms that puzzled local health workers. High fever, severe headache, and muscle pain quickly escalated to vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding. The Virus Spreads The disease spread rapidly. Within days, several factory workers and their families exhibited similar symptoms. Nzara's modest healthcare facilities quickly became ...
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June 26th: Clinton Punished Iraq For Bush Assassination Attempt
26Jun By Professor Mei X. Chen, M.A., Literature ScholarNo Comments
U.S. History

June 26th: Clinton Punished Iraq For Bush Assassination Attempt

What Happened On June 26th? On June 26, 1993, President Bill Clinton ordered a military strike against Iraq in retaliation for a plot to assassinate former President George H.W. Bush. This bold move showed the United States' resolve to protect its leaders and assert its power on the global stage. The Assassination Plot In April 1993, Kuwaiti officials discovered a car bomb intended to kill former President George H.W. Bush during his visit to Kuwait. The bomb, hidden in a Toyota Land Cruiser, contained over 175 pounds of explosives. Investigations by both Kuwaiti and American intelligence agencies linked the plot to the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS). Several suspects, including two Iraqi nationals, confessed to involvement in the plan, with direct orders coming from the top le...
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June 25th: North Korea Invaded South Korea & Began The War
25Jun By Dr. Sylvia K. Crawford, MA in JournalismNo Comments
World History

June 25th: North Korea Invaded South Korea & Began The War

What Happened On June 25th? On June 25, 1950, the Korean Peninsula erupted into a full-scale war as North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and launched a surprise attack on South Korea. This invasion began the Korean War, a conflict that reshaped the region for decades. A Divided Peninsula Following World War II, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel. The Soviet Union occupied the North, while the United States took control of the South. This division, intended to be temporary, soon hardened into a permanent split as Cold War tensions escalated. The North, under Kim Il-sung, embraced communism with Soviet backing, while the South, led by Syngman Rhee, aligned with the West. In the years leading up to the war, both Koreas engaged in frequent skirmishes along the bord...
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June 24th: Soviet Union Blocked All Access To West Berlin
24Jun By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments
World History

June 24th: Soviet Union Blocked All Access To West Berlin

What Happened On June 24th? On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union initiated the Berlin Blockade, aiming to force the Allied powers out of Berlin. This aggressive move set the stage for a dramatic showdown in Europe and tested the resolve of the Western Allies. A Divided Germany's Brewing Storm After World War II, Germany lay in ruins, divided into four zones controlled by the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France. Berlin, located deep within the Soviet zone, was also split among the four powers. Tensions grew as ideological differences between the Western Allies and the Soviets became clear. By 1947, relations between the former wartime allies had deteriorated. The United States and Britain sought to revive Germany’s economy through the Marshall Plan, which provide...
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June 23rd: The UK Voted & Left The European Union
23Jun By Dr. Charles E. Whitman, Jr., Historian at LargeNo Comments
World History

June 23rd: The UK Voted & Left The European Union

What Happened On June 23rd? On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum that altered its relationship with Europe and the world. Citizens across the UK voted on whether to remain in or leave the European Union, a decision known as Brexit. From Westminster To Worries Years of growing dissatisfaction with the EU among segments of the British population led to the referendum. Issues like immigration, economic control, and national identity fueled debates. Prominent political figures, including then-Prime Minister David Cameron, sought to renegotiate the UK’s terms of EU membership. Despite securing some concessions, Cameron promised a referendum to settle the issue once and for all. The Labour Party had initially proposed the idea of a referendum in the 1970s when the...
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June 22nd: Madonna Scored With The “Hand Of God”
22Jun By Dr. Sylvia K. Crawford, MA in JournalismNo Comments
Sports History

June 22nd: Madonna Scored With The “Hand Of God”

What Happened On June 22nd? On June 22, 1986, during the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match between Argentina and England, an incident occurred and became one of the sport's most controversial moments. That day, Diego Maradona coined the phrase “Hand of God” after scoring a goal using his left hand, a move that would become legendary for both its audacity and the debates it ignited. Diego Maradona was born on October 30, 1960, in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown on the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires. Despite his humble beginnings, his talent was evident from a young age. By 15, he made his professional debut with Argentinos Juniors, and by 16, he was playing for the national team. Setting The Pitch The match took place at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Tensions ran high as i...
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June 21st: John Hinckley Jr. Found “Not Guilty” After Reagan Shooting
21Jun By HistoricNewsNo Comments
U.S. History

June 21st: John Hinckley Jr. Found “Not Guilty” After Reagan Shooting

What Happened On June 21st? On June 21, 1982, a courtroom drama left a lasting impact on the nation's legal and mental health systems. A jury found John Hinckley Jr., the man who had tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, not guilty by reason of insanity. The Attempted Assassination On March 30, 1981, John Hinckley Jr. sought to gain the attention of actress Jodie Foster, with whom he was obsessed. Hinckley believed that by assassinating President Reagan, he could win her affection. As Reagan exited the Washington Hilton Hotel after giving a speech, Hinckley fired six shots from a .22 caliber revolver. One bullet ricocheted off the presidential limousine and struck Reagan in the chest, narrowly missing his heart. The attack also wounded Press Secretary James Brady, Secret...
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