What Happened in June?

United States President, Calvin Coolidge, signed the Indian Citizenship Act on June 2, 1924, conferring citizenship on all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the country. The right to vote, however, was governed by state law and some states continue to barred Native Americans from voting.  Expand +

The Lateran Treaty is ratified on June 7, 1929, officially recognizing the Vatican City as a sovereign State and the Pope's independence. The treaty was originally signed February 11, 1929, by Benito Mussolini for Italy and by Pietro Gasparri, Cardinal Secretary of State.

The United States imposes the protectionist Smoot-Hawley Tariff bill becomes law, raising the average tariff by some 20 percent and worsening an already suffering world economy. Formally known as the United States Tariff Act of 1930 It significantly raised tariffs on thousands of imported goods in an attempt to protect American farmers and businesses from foreign competition during the Great Depression. It is widely criticized for worsening the Depression by triggering retaliatory tariffs from other nations, leading to a collapse in global trade. The law got its name from its chief supporters, Representative Willis Hawley of Oregon and Senator Reed Smoot of Utah. More

The Promoters Revolution, also known as the Siamese revolution of 1932, was a bloodless coup by a group of Thai intellectuals, military officers, and European-educated individuals, known as the People's Party, who orchestrated the coup that transformed Thailand from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. It marked a turning point in Thai history, ushering in a period of political change and introducing democratic ideals, although the country would continue to experience political instability and military coups in the coming years.

The first drive-in movie theater openedofficially opened on June 6, 1933, in Camden New Jersey with space to accommodate around 400 cars. The ticket price was 25 cents per car plus 25 cents per person.  Expand +

Donald Duck, Disney character, debuts in the Silly Symphony short "The Wise Little Hen"  becoming one of the most recognizable cartoon characters, known for his sailor outfit, distinctive voice, and often volatile personality.

Germany, Chancellor and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler orders a political purge intended to consolidate his power and alleviate the concerns of the German military about the role of Ernst Röhm and the Sturmabteilung (SA), the Nazis' paramilitary organization, known colloquially as "Brownshirts". The purge resulted in the killing of hundreds of Nazis whom he believed had the potential to become political enemies including Röhm.  Expand +

Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (formerly Edward VIII), married American socialite Wallis Simpson (who became Duchess of Windsor), on June 3, 1937, at the Château de Candé in France, six months after abdicating, on December 10, 1936.  Wallis Warfield Simpson was an American divorcée, which was unacceptable to the British government, the Church of England, and the Dominions Expand +

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is passed and signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The FLSA aimed to eliminate labor conditions detrimental to the well-being of workers, to ensure a minimum standard of living and to address issues like child labor, long working hours, and low wages, particularly in the context of the Great Depression. More

The first automobile drives across the new Lake Washington Floating Bridge. (US 10 now Interstate 90). The bridge floated on hollow concrete pontoons, a highly innovative technology at that time and it was the largest floating structure ever built. The official dedication ceremonies were held on July 2, 1940. More 

Italy declares war against France and Great Britain. The Italian entry into the war widened its scope considerably in Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.

Norway surrenders to Nazi Germany, two months after Germany attacked Denmark and Norway on April 9, 1940. On that same day, Denmark surrendered and was immediately occupied. The Norwegians resisted for two additional months.

The Franco-German Armistice formally ending hostilities between France and Germany during World War II is signed. The armistice resulted in the division of France into occupied and unoccupied zones, with the French State, becoming a collaborationist government under the leadership of Marshal Philippe Pétain. Expand +

Adolf Hitler visits Paris for a celebratory tour after the armistice agreement with France came into effect. During his short three-hour visit, Hitler, along with his entourage, including architects Albert Speer and Hermann Giesler, and sculptor Arno Breker, visited significant Parisian landmarks. More

General Charles de Gaulle, then a brigadier-general, rejects the French government's decision to sign an armistice with Germany and flees to London to continue the fight against Nazi Germany.  Expand +

The island of Crete falls to Nazi German forces, on June 1, 1941 during WWII, after an almost two week-long battle, despite fierce resistance from Allied troops and Cretan civilians. The battle involved intense air bombardment and airborne assaults by German paratroopers and glider troops.

Nazi Germany Invades the Soviet Union during the Second World War. The Invasion, named Barbarossa, was the largest land offensive in human history, with over 10 million combatants taking part. More

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Executive Order 8802 prohibiting ethnic and racial discrimination in the country’s growing defense industry including in companies, unions, and federal agencies. It also set up the Fair Employment Practice Committee. It was the first federal action, although not a law, to promote equal opportunity and prohibit employment discrimination in the United States. More

British codebreakers at Bletchley Park successfully broke the German Enigma code used on the Eastern Front. This key, codenamed "Vulture," allowed British intelligence to gain insight into German military plans and operations, which ultimately aided the Allied war effort. Winston Churchill, recognizing the value of this intelligence, instructed that the information be shared with Joseph Stalin, the leader of the Soviet Union. The code breaking remained classified for decades after the war.

The battle of Midway starts, early on the morning of June 4, 1942, as aircraft from four Japanese aircraft carriers attacked and severely damaged the US base on Midway. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, the US carrier forces were just to the east of the island and ready for battle. More Expand +