June 23, 1961
The Antarctic Treaty was enacted, reserving the entire continent for free and nonpolitical scientific investigation.
June 21, 1788
New Hampshire becomes the ninth and last necessary state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, thereby making the document the law of the land
June 20, 1975
Jaws, a film directed by Steven Spielberg that made countless viewers afraid to go into the water, opens in theaters
June 19, 1865
In what is now known as Juneteenth, Union soldiers arrive in Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War is over and slavery in the United States is abolished.
June 17, 1885
The dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor
June 16, 1884
The first roller coaster in America opens at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York
June 14, 1777
The Continental Congress adopts a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white”
June 13, 1381
During the Peasants’ Revolt, a large mob of English peasants led by Wat Tyler marches into London and begins burning and looting the city
June 12, 1920
Man O’ War wins the 52nd Belmont Stakes, and sets the record for the fastest mile ever run by a horse to that time
June 11, 1776
The Continental Congress selects Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, Roger Sherman of Connecticut and Robert R. Livingston of New York to draft a declaration of independence.
June 10, 1752
Benjamin Franklin was said to have flown a kite during a thunderstorm to collect ambient electrical charge in a Leyden jar, enabling him to demonstrate the connection between lightning and electricity.
June 9, 1973
Secretariat becomes the first horse since Citation in 1948 to win America’s coveted Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes
June 7, 1913
Hudson Stuck, leads the first successful ascent of Denali (formerly known as Mt. McKinley), the highest point on the North American continent
June 4, 1876
A mere 83 hours after leaving New York City, the Transcontinental Express train arrives in San Francisco.
June 3, 1965
120 miles above the Earth, Major Edward H. White II opens the hatch of the Gemini 4 and steps out of the capsule, becoming the first American astronaut to walk in space