Today in History
Important Events
- 656 Ali ibn Abu Talib elected the 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate
- 1579 Sir Francis Drake lands on coast of California at Drakes Bay, names it "New Albion"
- 1631 Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, then spends more than 20 years building her tomb, the Taj Mahal
- 1789 French Revolution: During the meeting of the Estates-General, the Third Estate proclaims itself the 'National Assembly'
- 1837 Charles Goodyear obtains his 1st rubber patent
- 1856 Republican Party opens its 1st national convention in Philadelphia
Today in Film & TV
- 2018 "The Incredibles 2" sets a box office record for an animated release, earning $180 million its opening weekend
Today in Music
- 1971 Carole King's album "Tapestry" goes to No. 1 on US album charts and stays there for 15 weeks
Today in Sport
- 1962 US Open Men's Golf, Oakmont CC: Jack Nicklaus wins his first major title by 3 strokes in an 18-hole playoff with Arnold Palmer
Did You Know?
"Things Fall Apart" by Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe published by Heinemann - considered most widely read book in African literature
On this day in 1958
James Weldon Johnson
Tommy Burns
Igor Stravinsky
George Mallory
George Mikan
Paul McCartneyWould You Believe?
Last public guillotining in France. Eugen Weidmann, a convicted murderer, is guillotined in Versailles outside the prison Saint-Pierre
On this day in 1939
Famous Weddings
- 1835 Soldier and politician Jefferson Davis (27) weds Sarah Knox Taylor (21) in Louisville, Kentucky
- 1853 Prime Minister of Canada Alexander Mackenzie (31) weds second wife Jane Sym
- 1872 Jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr (31) weds childhood friend Fanny Bowditch Dixwell
Famous Divorces
- 1988 Bruce Springsteen separates from Julianne Phillips
Maxwell Perkins
Tarsila do Amaral
Rodney King
Roald Amundsen
Maxim Gorky
Georgy ZhukovThis Month in History
![Cricket's T20 is Born. Howzat!?]()
Cricket's T20 is Born. Howzat!?
Cricketing enthusiasts are fearful for the future of Test matches. The seeds of doubt were sewn on this day when the furiously fast T20 format was introduced.
June 13, 2003![Lomu – The Unstoppable Gentle Giant]()
Lomu – The Unstoppable Gentle Giant
Jonah Lomu was a phenomenon in Rugby Union – a man-mountain who inspired fear and respect in equal measure among his opponents.
June 18, 1995!['Ship in Distress' Sails Into History Books]()
'Ship in Distress' Sails Into History Books
What was claimed to be the first trans-Atlantic crossing by a steam ship – even if sails helped – was completed on this day and is still celebrated
June 19, 1819!['Gorgeous Gussie' Shocks Wimbledon]()
'Gorgeous Gussie' Shocks Wimbledon
There is a strict dress code at Wimbledon and, as Gussie Moran discovered on this day in tennis history, tennis players break it at their peril.
June 20, 1949
Australia
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Ireland
Italy
Japan
New Zealand
Philippines
Russia
South Africa
United Kingdom
United States