International History

Irish tenor John McCormack was born on June 14, 1884, in Athlone, Ireland.  Eventually becoming an American citizen, he was internationally renowned for his singing abilities and breath control.

On June 13, 1777, the Marquis de Lafayette arrived in America to offer his services in the Revolutionary War.  He would become like a son to George Washington and was soon known as “the hero of two worlds.”

George Herbert Walker Bush was born on June 12, 1924, in Milton, Massachusetts. As America’s 41st president, he led the US through conflicts in Panama and Iraq, helped bring about the end of the Soviet Union, and negotiated treaties to reduce the number of global nuclear weapons. At home, Bush fought against rising drug use and cracked down on the drug trade.

On May 26, 1897, Bram Stoker’s Dracula was first published in London, England. It went on to become one of the most famous pieces of English literature and has been adapted for film more than 30 times.

On May 20, 2018, the United Nations declared the first World Bee Day, to bring attention to the importance of bees and the plights they face. This date was chosen because it is considered the birthday of Slovenian beekeeping pioneer Anton Janša.

On May 17, 1865, the International Telegraph Union (ITU), which later became the International Telecommunication Union, was founded. The first international standards organization, it established basic principles for international telegraphy.  It later became an agency of the United Nations.

On April 17, 1900, chiefs on the island of Tutuila signed the Treaty of Cession of Tutuila, transferring control of American Samoa to the United States.  The US Navy governed the island for half a century before it became self-governing, but remains an unincorporated US territory.

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael, is believed to have been born on either March 28 or April 6, 1483, in Urbino, Duchy of Urbino.  Raphael produced a large number of paintings during his short life and is considered one of the great masters of his time.

On March 20, 2013, the United Nations observed the first International Day of Happiness. The day was created through a unanimous UN resolution, recognizing that happiness and well-being are as important to a successful society as economic goals.