Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens was born on June 28, 1577, in Siegen, Nassau-Dillenburg, in the Holy Roman Empire. He would become one of Europe’s most sought-after painters, known not only for dramatic Baroque art, but also for work as a trusted diplomat.
On June 27, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo departed New Spain (present-day Mexico) in search of a water route between the Atlantic and Pacific. He’s considered to be the first European to travel the California coast and many spots in that state are named in his honor.
On June 26, 1945, 50 nations signed the United Nations Charter. After two world wars in less than 30 years, their goal was not to create a perfect world, but to build a place where nations could confront crises before they became another global war.
On June 25, 1876, Civil War veteran George A. Custer died at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The battle became one of the most famous defeats in US Army history, but its deeper story was about land, broken promises, and Native nations fighting to protect their way of life.
One of America’s first modern artists, Stuart Davis died on June 24, 1964. Davis earned national acclaim for his proto-pop paintings that were inspired by jazz and his strong political beliefs.
On June 25, 1876, Civil War veteran George A. Custer died at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The battle became one of the most famous defeats in US Army history, but its deeper story was about land, broken promises, and Native nations fighting to protect their way of life.
One of America’s first modern artists, Stuart Davis died on June 24, 1964. Davis earned national acclaim for his proto-pop paintings that were inspired by jazz and his strong political beliefs.
On June 23, 2004, the USPS issued the first stamps in its Art of Disney Series. The USPS worked with Disney artists to create this whimsical series of stamps, with each year featuring a different theme.
Daniel “Uncle Dan” Beard was born on June 21, 1850, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His childhood adventures along the rivers and woods of Kentucky later helped shape the activities and ideals of the Boy Scouts of America.
On June 28, 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Bosnia Serb nationalist, sparking World War I.
On June 28, 1776, South Carolina patriots won their first decisive victory of the Revolutionary War at Sullivan’s Island.
Nurse Clara Louise Maass was born on June 28, 1876, in East Orange, New Jersey. Maass’s participation in the Army’s Yellow Fever Commission claimed her life, but also contributed to the discovery of a treatment for the dangerous disease.
Stamp and poster artist Louis James Nolan Jr. was born on June 28, 1926, in Washington, DC. During his long career, he designed several military recruiting posters and over a dozen US stamps.
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