Pledge of Allegiance
On June 22, 1942, Congress formally adopted the Pledge of Allegiance. Originally written by Francis Bellamy in 1884, the pledge been altered some over the years, but has remained unchanged since 1954.
This Day in History
U.S. Captures Okinawa
On June 21, 1945, US troops captured Okinawa from the Japanese. It was the last major WWII battle in the Pacific and has been called the “typhoon of steel” for the fierce fighting, intense kamikaze attacks, and large number of Allied ships and vehicles that assaulted the island.
Birth of Charles W. Chesnutt
Charles Waddell Chesnutt was born on June 20, 1858, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a critically-acclaimed author and the first African American novelist to have his work published in the prestigious Atlantic Monthly Magazine.
The Founding of the National Archives
On June 19, 1934, President Franklin Roosevelt signed legislation creating the National Archives. The archives houses billions of historic documents, photographs, maps, videos, and more.
The Soo Locks
On June 18, 1855, the first ship passed through the Soo Locks, located on the St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Today there are four locks, and an average of 10,000 ships pass through them each year.
Birth of Igor Stravinsky
Composer Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky was born on June 17, 1882 (or June 5 in the Old Style), in Oranienbaum, Russia (present-day Lomonosov). He is considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
First Kentucky Settlement
On June 16, 1774, James Harrod led 31 men in the founding of the first permanent settlement in Kentucky. Over time the settlement was named Fort Harrod, Harrodstown, and finally Harrodsburg, in his honor.
Start of V-Mail Service
On June 15, 1942, the Post Office Department inaugurated its V-Mail service. During World War II, letters bound for service personnel were photographed and transferred to microfilm. This special process enabled letters to take up a fraction of their usual space on planes going to war zones, allowing more room for crucial supplies.
Birth of Red Grange
Howard Edward “Red” Grange was born on June 13, 1903, in Forksville, Pennsylvania. Considered one of football’s greatest running backs and one of the best college football players of all time, he was a three-time All-American and two-time NFL champion.