Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Bosnia Serb nationalist, sparking World War I.
This Day in History
Signing of United Nations Charter
On June 26, 1945, 50 nations signed the United Nations Charter.
Virginia Becomes 10th State
On June 25, 1788, Virginia ratified the US Constitution and was admitted as the 10th state of the Union.
Department of Justice Established
On June 22, 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill into law creating the U.S. Department of Justice.
West Virginia Becomes 35th State
On June 20, 1863, West Virginia joined the Union as the 35th state.
The First Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, slaves in Galveston, Texas, were finally informed of their freedom by the Emancipation Proclamation (issued two years prior). The day the last American slaves were freed has become a holiday celebrated officially in 45 states.
Battle of Bunker Hill
On June 17, 1775, American colonists inflicted heavy British casualties in their loss at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Virginia Declaration of Rights Ratified
On June 12, 1776, the Fifth Virginia Convention at Williamsburg, Virginia unanimously ratified the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
First and Only Delivery of “Missile Mail”
On June 8, 1959, the U.S. Post Office Department launched its experimental missile mail in an attempt to find a faster method of mail delivery.