June 06: Fun Facts about Today in History

On June 6, learn about the most interesting events and historical facts from throughout history. In the Gregorian calendar, June 6th is the 157th day of the year. On this day, the first slaves arrive in Louisiana, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) is founded in London, and a near-Earth asteroid with a diameter of 10 metres explodes over the Mediterranean Sea with an explosive force somewhat greater than the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki.

Gemini is the zodiac sign for June 6th. Thomas Mann, Björn Borg, Paul Giamatti, and Steve Vai all have famous birthdays. National Yo-Yo Day, Queensland Day, and Russian Language Day are all celebrated today.

Event
(June 06, 1912) Novarupta begins its eruption in Alaska. It is the 20th century's greatest volcanic outburst.
Advertisements (June 06, 1925) Walter Chrysler formed the original Chrysler Corporation from the remains of the Maxwell Motor Company.
(June 06, 1933) In Camden, New Jersey, the first drive-in theatre opens.
(June 06, 1944) An Allied fleet of ships, planes, and landing craft, led by US General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and approximately 156,000 men began the invasion of northern France from England on this day in 1944—the legendary "D-Day" of World War II.
(June 06, 2015) American Pharoah won the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first Thoroughbred to win the Triple Crown in over 35 years.
(Died on June 06, 2016) Peter Shaffer, English playwright and screenwriter; works included Equus and Amadeus (b. 1926).