Today in History
Historical Events
Israel captures the Golan Heights from Syria. Israel's occupation of the territory and the establishment of Israeli settlements in the area continue to hamper negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Four Austrian climbers become the first to conquer Broad Peak. Fritz Wintersteller, Marcus Schmuck, Kurt Diemberger, and Hermann Buhl reached the 8051 meter-high summit of one of the world's highest mountains on the border of Pakistan and China.
Bhumibol Adulyadej is crowned King of Thailand. At the time of his death on October 13, 2016, he was the world's longest reigning head of state, with 70 years on the throne.
Donald Duck makes his film debut in The Wise Little Hen. The short-tempered duck typically wearing a sailor suit is one of Walt Disney's most famous cartoon characters. Donald's first book appearance was in The Adventures of Mickey Mouse, which was published in 1931.
Charles Kingsford Smith completes the world's first trans-Pacific flight. The Australian aviator and his 4-man crew had departed Oakland, California on the morning on May 31. Nine days later, after several stops, they landed safely in Brisbane.
Famous Births
Born on this day

Johnny Depp
1963
American actor, singer, producer, director

Michael J. Fox
1961
Canadian/American actor, producer, author

Aaron Sorkin
1961
American screenwriter, producer, playwright

Les Paul
1915
American guitarist, songwriter, co-designed the Gibson Guitar

Cole Porter
1891
American composer
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Iain Banks
2013
Scottish author

M. F. Husain
2011
Indian painter, director

Miguel Ángel Asturias
1974
Guatemalan journalist, author, poet, Nobel Prize laureate

Charles Dickens
1870
English author