Jun 12 Austro-Hungarian Empire forms Jun 15 Atlantic Cable Quartz Lode gold mine located in Montana Jun 19 1st Belmont Stakes: Gilbert Gilpatrick aboard Ruthless wins in 3:05 Alaska Purchase Jun 20 US President Andrew Johnson announces the Alaska Purchase The check used by the United States to purchase Alaska at less than 2 cents an acre Jun 25 1st barbed wire patented by Lucien B. Smith of Ohio Jun 27 Bank of California opens doors Jun 29 Pope Pius IX declares Gorcumse holy martyrs 1866 Historical Events by Year 1868