What Happened in June?

The United States Congress passes the Espionage Act, building on the 1911, Defense Secrets Act, with important new elements added. More

The first American troops, the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), arrive in Europe during WWI. They were under the command of General John Joseph Pershing. However they did not fully participate at the front until October, when the First Division, one of the best-trained divisions of the AEF, entered the trenches at Nancy, France. More

Greece brakes diplomatic relations with the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey). Greece was deeply divided during World War I, with King Constantine I advocating for neutrality and Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos favoring the Entente (Britain, France, Russia).  Expand +

Greece, under pressure from the Allies, ends three years of neutrality and enters World War I alongside Britain, France, Russia and Italy.

The 19th amendment granting women the right to vote is passed by Congress. It had been first proposed in Congress, forty two years earlier in 1878. The amendment then needed to be ratified by three-fourths of the states. when Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920 and became law on August 26, 1920. More

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919 formally ends World War I. According to the terms, Germany was assessed sole blame for the war, it had to pay reparations of $15 Billion. It was also forced to give up Alsace-Lorraine and all overseas colonies. The treaty also prohibited German rearmament. More

The first successful aerial refueling takes place when a DH-4B carrying Lts. Virgil Hine and Frank W. Seifert passed gasoline through a hose to another DH-4B flying beneath it carrying Lt's Lowell H. Smith and John P. Richter. More
It is interesting to also note that in 1921, the first successful transfer of fuel albeit, unconventional. between two biplane planes took place a wing walker climbed from one to the other plane with a five-gallon can of gasoline strapped to his back and successfully transferred the fuel. Learn more about this event

The government of the United States confers 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. It wasn't until 1957 that Utah became the last state to remove its laws denying Native Americans the right to vote. However, even after 1957, some Native American voters still faced barriers to accessing the ballot box. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 addressed these issues at the federal level, outlawing discriminatory practices that denied or abridged the right to vote based on race. More

The Lateran Treaty is ratified, 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 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 

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 +