Today in History
Historical Events
Mass Shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida Kills 49 People. In what is now thought to be one of the deadliest incidents of violence against LGBTQ people in history, the shooting committed by 29-year old Omar Mateen is also the second deadliest terrorist attack on US soil since the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The world's largest twinjet takes off on its maiden flight. The Boeing 777, or Triple Seven, typically transports up to 451 passengers. It is one of Boeing's commercially most successful planes.
Boris Yeltsin becomes Russia's first President. After the end of the Soviet Union, Yeltsin launched radical economic reforms that aimed at dismantling socialism and restore capitalism.
Ronald Reagan challenges Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall”. The U.S. President held his famous speech near the Berlin Wall, one of the most important symbols for the division between East and West during the Cold War. The wall was dismantled in 1989, but many observers doubt that Reagan's famous catchphrase had any impact on this decision.
Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life in prison. The South African anti-apartheid activist spent 27 years in prison. In 1993, he received the Nobel Peace Prize and one year later he became President of South Africa.
Famous Births
Born on this day

Mark Henry
1971
American weightlifter, wrestler

Roy Harper
1941
English singer-songwriter, guitarist, poet, actor

Anne Frank
1929
German/Dutch author, Holocaust victim

George H. W. Bush
1924
American politician, 41st President of the United States

Anthony Eden
1897
British politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Al Williamson
2010
American illustrator

György Ligeti
2006
Romanian/Austrian composer

Menachem Mendel Schneerson
1994
Russian/French rabbi

Billy Butlin
1980
South African/English businessman, founded Butlins

Medgar Evers
1963
American civil rights activist