Today in History

Historical Events

1967

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.

1957

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.

1946

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.

1934

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.

1928

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

Johnny Depp

1963

American actor, singer, producer, director

Michael J. Fox

Michael J. Fox

1961

Canadian/American actor, producer, author

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin

1961

American screenwriter, producer, playwright

Les Paul

Les Paul

1915

American guitarist, songwriter, co-designed the Gibson Guitar

Cole Porter

Cole Porter

1891

American composer

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Iain Banks

Iain Banks

2013

Scottish author

M. F. Husain

M. F. Husain

2011

Indian painter, director

Miguel Ángel Asturias

Miguel Ángel Asturias

1974

Guatemalan journalist, author, poet, Nobel Prize laureate

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

1870

English author