What Happened in June?

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 opens in Camden New Jersey with space to accommodate around 400 cars. The ticket price was 25 cents per car plus 25 cents per person. The first film ever shown at this drive-in was the British comedy "Wives Beware". The film was chosen because it had played for only one week in theaters a few weeks earlier and they wanted a film that would not conflict with major releases. More

Donald Duck, Disney character, makes its debut 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). After abdicating, Edward was made Duke of Windsor by his brother and successor, George VI. Wallis married Edward six months later, after which she was formally known as the Duchess of Windsor, but was not allowed to share her husband's style of "Royal Highness".

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 

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.

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

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 +

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 +

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

The island of Crete falls to German forces after a week-long battle during WWII. The battle, which began on May 20, involved intense air bombardment and airborne assaults by German paratroopers and glider troops. Despite fierce resistance from Allied troops and Cretan civilians, the Germans ultimately captured key airfields and were able to reinforce and consolidate their position.

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.

194The battle of Midway - Early on the morning of June 4, 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

The residents of the village of Lidice (present-day Czech Republic) were rounded up on orders from Adolf Hitler to kill all men in Lidice, aged 16 and older in reprisal for the assassination by Czech underground fighters of Reinhard Heydrich, deputy leader of the Nazi paramilitary SS group. The women and children were taken to concentration camps or gassed, and the village of Lidice was destroyed. More

General Dwight Eisenhower, is appointed to take command of all U.S. Operations in Europe by Army Chief of Staff, General George C. Marshall. Eleven days later, on June 25, 1942, Eisenhower arrived at U.S. headquarters in London and took command.