Bernardo Vicente de Gálvez y Madrid, Viscount of Galveston and Count of Gálvez, was born on July 25, 1746, in Macharaviaya, Málaga, Spain. A hero of the Revolutionary War, he later served as Spanish Governor of Louisiana and Viceroy of New Spain.
On July 19, 1980, the Summer Olympic Games opened in Moscow, Soviet Union. They were the first Olympics to be held in Eastern Europe. The US was among 65 countries that boycotted the games, and the numerous stamps issued to commemorate the games were removed from sale until after the Olympics were finished.
On July 14, 1932, the International Peace Garden was dedicated, representing the peaceful relationship between the United States and Canada. The park sits on the border between North Dakota and the Canadian province of Manitoba.
On June 23, 1961, the Antarctic Treaty went into effect. Originally signed by 12 nations, it called for the peaceful use of the Antarctic Territory surrounding the South Pole.
On June 7, 1942, the Allies won the Battle of Midway in the Pacific, turning the tide of the war. It’s been called “the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.”
On June 2, 1953, the coronation ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II attracted worldwide attention. Though she never expected to become queen, she went on to become Britain’s longest reigning monarch.
The first king of the Kingdom Hawaii, King Kamehameha I, is believed to have died on May 8, 1819. Kamehameha was the first chief to unite the Hawaiian islands and remains a revered figure in the state today.
On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces defeated French invaders at the Battle of Puebla. Commemoration of the event has come to be known as Cinco de Mayo.
On April 17, 1958, the Brussels World’s Fair, also known as Expo ’58, opened its doors. It was the first major official world’s fair after WWII.