This Day In History

Robert F. (Bobby) Kennedy was shot by an assassin on June 5, 1968, hours after delivering his victory speech in the California primary. He died from his wounds early the next day.

On June 4, 1944, Allied troops entered Rome, Italy, freeing it from German control. The city’s liberation came after months of hard fighting over mountains, across rivers, and in bad weather, against strong German defenses.

Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, was born on June 3, 1808, in Fairview, Kentucky.

On June 2, 1863, Harriet Tubman helped lead a daring Union raid on South Carolina’s Combahee Ferry. The raid succeeded in capturing supplies, damaging Confederate defenses, and freeing over 750 people.

On August 3, 1859, twenty-six dentists met in Niagara Falls, New York at the first meeting of the American Dental Association (ADA).

Performer and philanthropist Danny Thomas was born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz on January 6, 1912, in Deerfield, Michigan.  In addition to his successful performing career, Thomas was the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Civil War surgeon Mary Edwards Walker was born on November 26, 1832, in Oswego, New York, about 40 miles from Mystic’s home in Camden. She was the Army’s first female surgeon and earned the Medal of Honor for her work during the Civil War.

On October 29, 1863, representatives from around the world joined together to establish the International Red Cross. It’s the oldest and one of the most well-recognized humanitarian organizations in the world.

On June 6, 1944, some 155,000 Allied troops stormed the shores of Normandy on D-Day, the start of Operation Overlord.

Artist John Trumbull was born on June 6, 1756, in Lebanon, Connecticut. A prolific artist, he painted many of America’s founding fathers as well as notable events and battles from the Revolutionary War.

On June 6, 1933, the first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey. The number of drive-ins in the US would eventually grow to over 4,000, becoming a beloved pastime for millions.

On June 6, 1955, the US Post Office issued its first and only Certified Mail Stamp, US #FA1. The stamp gave mail special protection and provided the sender with proof of delivery.