A Leap Back to the Memories of July 6th
Happy Saturday! Today we mark the 188th day of 2024 with just 178 more to go. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing on all the significant happenings on this day in history.
In 1957, the tennis courts echoed with a victory that broke barriers. Althea Gibson, a Black tennis player, shattered racial stereotypes by winning a Wimbledon singles title. She emerged triumphant against the fellow American Darlene Hard, a match ending with a 6-3, 6-2 score.
Crossing the borders and jumping back to 1483, England crowned a new ruler. King Richard III was anointed within the holy confines of Westminster Abbey.
Battles, Science Breakthroughs, and the Test of Time
During the throes of the American Revolution in 1777, the British forces made a significant move. Their strategic capture of Fort Ticonderoga stands out in the war’s chronicles.
Then there’s the priceless contribution of Louis Pasteur in 1885. The French scientist changed the fate of a young boy named Joseph Meister, who was bitten by a rabid dog. Pasteur’s anti-rabies vaccine saved Meister from developing the deadly disease.
Historic Games, World Wars, and Unforgettable Fires
July 6, 1933, painted a crucial page in the history of baseball. It was when the first All-Star baseball game took place at Chicago’s Comiskey Park. The American League took home the glory, defeating the National League 4-2. Lefty Gomez of the New York Yankees emerged as the night’s winning pitcher.
In 1942, the Second World War witnessed an event that was later immortalized through a diary. Anne Frank, along with her family members, hid from the Nazi occupiers in an Amsterdam building, marking the start of their two-year-long confinement in their “secret annex.”
An unfortunate fire tragedy struck in 1944 during a performance in the main tent of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut. The catastrophic blaze claimed an estimated 168 lives.
Legal Orders, Civil Wars, and Aviation Disasters
Harry S. Truman, the then-President in 1945, sealed an executive order establishing the Medal of Freedom, an honor still revered today.
In 1967, political tensions were ignited, leading to the Nigerian Civil War. This was sparked by Nigerian forces invading the Republic of Biafra.
July 6 wasn’t just about victories and policies; it also had its share of devastating events. A tragic incident in 1988, where 167 North Sea oil workers lost their lives following explosions on a drilling platform, is still remembered.
In 2013, an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 from South Korea crashed while landing in San Francisco. This aviation disaster led to the demise of three passengers while leaving 181 severely injured.
Controversial Trials, Cult Punishments, and Birthday Celebrations
In recent history, 2016 marked the controversial case involving Philando Castile. This Black elementary school cafeteria worker was killed in a traffic stop by Officer Jeronimo Yanez in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights.
In 2018, the Tokyo subway sarin gas attackers met their end. Six followers of the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult were hanged alongside its leader, Shoko Asahara.
In 2020, the Trump administration made headlines by formally notifying the United Nations of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
Lastly, we celebrate the birthdays of notable figures today. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, turns 89. The actor-director Sylvester Stallone becomes 78. Rap legend, 50 Cent, hits 49 and comedian Kevin Hart celebrates his 45th birthday. In sports, San Diego Padres infielder Manny Machado turns 32, and NBA power forward Zion Williamson turns 24.
Remember, the actions of today can become the history of tomorrow.