Today:
1314 – The Battle of Bannockburn ended with Robert the Bruce’s Scottish forces defeating the English army of Edward II, a major victory in Scotland’s fight for independence.
1497 – John Cabot landed in North America, likely on the coast of Newfoundland or Cape Breton, while sailing under the English flag.
1509 – Henry VIII was crowned king of England alongside Catherine of Aragon at Westminster Abbey.
1812 – Napoleon’s Grande Armée crossed the Neman River, beginning the French invasion of Russia.
1859 – At the Battle of Solferino in northern Italy, French and Sardinian forces defeated Austria; the carnage helped inspire the founding of the Red Cross.
1916 – The Battle of the Somme began with the opening British artillery bombardment during World War I.
1939 – Siam officially changed its name to Thailand.
1947 – Kenneth Arnold reported seeing fast-moving unidentified flying objects near Mount Rainier, Washington, helping popularize the term “flying saucer.”
1948 – The Berlin Blockade began when the Soviet Union cut off land and water access to West Berlin.
1973 – UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, was set on fire in an arson attack that killed 32 people.