1 Junes through History
1670: Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans Strikes a Secret Deal
Commemorative events of historical significance | Month of June
In a shady deal brokered by Henrietta, Duchess of Orleans, her rich brother-in-law, Louis XIV, agreed to pay her brother, Charles II, £230,000 a year. In return, Charles promised to send 60 ships and 4,000 infantry to aid the French in their war against the Dutch. But it gets juicier—Charles also pledged to come out as a Catholic convert because France would pay him an extra £160,000 and intervene if his people rebelled against him. Scandalous!
1962: The Battle of Santiago Heats Up
Chile triumphed over Italy in a fiery World Cup group match, with numerous brawls erupting on the pitch and two Italian players getting sent off. Ken Aston, the British ref, later said it was "not refereeing a football match. I was acting as an umpire in military maneuvers." Rightly so!
1937: Edward VIII Ties the Knot with Wallis Simpson
Six months after relinquishing the British throne, Edward VIII finally married his beloved Wallis Simpson at the Chateau de Candé. The celebration was hosted by the half-American millionaire Charles Bedaux. The couple's love story was steamy and controversial, leading to plenty of gossip and intrigue.
1989: Tiananmen Square Crackdown
In the early hours of 4 June, the Chinese army stormed Tiananmen Square, leaving an estimated 200 to 1,000 protesters dead. This tragic event marked the crushing of the pro-democracy movement in China.
1832: June Rebellion in Paris
Sparked by food shortages, a cholera epidemic, and the death of popular general Jean Lamarque, the June Rebellion began in Paris. The working classes took to the streets, demanding "freedom or death." The rebellion lasted for two days before the government managed to regain control.
Famous Birthdays in June
- James Young Simpson – Scottish Doctor (7 Jun, 1811) - Simpson discovered the anesthetic qualities of chloroform, revolutionizing surgery and improving the lives of millions.
- Robert Schumann – German Composer (8 Jun, 1810) - Schumann is known for his emotional and expressive compositions, greatly influencing the Romantic period of Western classical music.
- Edvard Grieg – Norwegian Composer and Pianist (9 Jun, 1843) - Grieg's most famous compositions include "Peer Gynt" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King."
- Jean Anouilh – French Playwright (13 Jun, 1910) - Anouilh is famous for his stage plays, including "Antigone" and "The Route of All Evil."
- Harriet Beecher Stowe – Abolitionist and Writer (14 Jun, 1811) - Stowe, author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," fought passionately against slavery and played a significant role in shaping public opinion during the period leading up to the American Civil War.
- Blaise Pascal – French Philosopher and Mathematician (19 Jun, 1623) - Pascal made significant contributions to mathematics, physics, and philosophy. His most famous work is the "Pascal's Wager," which argues that it is better to believe in God than not to believe, even if the belief is unfounded.
- Theobald Wolfe Tone – Irish Nationalist (20 Jun, 1763) - Tone founded the Society of United Irishmen, which sought to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish republic.
- Anthony Malcolm Buckeridge – English Author (20 Jun, 1912) - Buckeridge is best known for his Jennings and Darbishire series of children's novels, which offer a humorous and entertaining glimpse into life during World War II.
- Mary Whitehouse – British Campaigner (13 Jun, 1910) - Whitehouse is famous for her efforts to censor broadcast media, particularly television and radio, and founded the National Viewers and Listeners Association. She advocated for moral standards to be upheld in the face of perceived liberalization and decadence in the mediums of the time.
1512: Dorset's Failed Crusade
In an attempt to aid Ferdinand of Aragon in his attack on France, the Marquess of Dorset landed in Spain with 10,000 men. However, Ferdinand was more interested in securing Navarre, and Dorset's expedition achieved nothing, ultimately being a failed crusade.
1865: Charles Dickens' Near-Death Experience
At 3:13 pm, as Dickens' train sped across a viaduct at Staplehurst, it derailed, throwing several carriages into a quagmire below. Although several passengers were killed, Dickens managed to free himself from the wreck and offer aid to the injured. Thank goodness for his quick thinking!
1190: Barbarossa's Demise
On 10 June, Frederick Barbarossa's army, attempting to cross the Saleph River, encountered a terrible misfortune. Different accounts suggest that either the emperor drowned or suffered a heart attack brought on by the shock. This event left his army in disarray and marked the end of an important crusade.
1381: Sudbury's Execution
Following the Peasants' Revolt, Archbishop Simon Sudbury was discovered hiding in the White Tower. Despite pleading for mercy, he was taken away and executed on Tower Hill. His decapitated head was later paraded through the streets and impaled on London Bridge.
1829: The Establishment of London's Metropolitan Police
Robert Peel's "Act for Improving the Police in and near the Metropolis" was passed, establishing the Metropolitan Police Force. These bobbies still patrol the streets of London today, ensuring the safety of the city and its denizens.
Famous Deaths in June
- Wilhelm II – Former German Kaiser (4 Jun, 1941) - Wilhelm II was the last German emperor, reigning from 1888 to 1918. After the fall of the German Empire, he lived in exile in the Netherlands until his death.
- Charles Dickens – Writer (9 Jun, 1870) - Dickens is one of the most famous English authors, known for his works like "A Tale of Two Cities," "Oliver Twist," and "Great Expectations."
- Henry ‘Young King’ – Son of King Henry II (11 Jun, 1183)
- Alexander Kerensky – Russian Revolutionary Leader (11 Jun, 1970) - Kerensky was a key figure in the Russian Provisional Government, serving as its leader from 1917 to 1918. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, he was forced into exile, where he spent the remainder of his life.
- Edward FitzGerald – Poet (14 Jun, 1883) - FitzGerald is best known for his translation of the Persian epic "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam."
- Bramwell Booth – Son of William Booth, Founder of the Salvation Army (16 Jun, 1929) - Booth was an early leader of the Salvation Army, serving as its General from 1890 to 1912.
- Charles – 1st Earl Canning, Governor-General of India (17 Jun, 1862) - Canning played a crucial role in quelling the rebellion of the Bengal Army during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.
- Lady Hester Stanhope – Society Hostess and Niece of Pitt the Younger (23 Jun, 1839) - Stanhope was an intelligent and strong-willed woman who traveled extensively in the Middle East and became a wealthy landowner in Syria.
- Mary Tudor – Widow of Louis XII of France and Wife of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk (25 Jun, 1533) - Mary Tudor was the first wife of King Henry VIII's brother, Charles Brandon.
- Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema – Dutch-born Classicist Painter (25 Jun, 1912) - Alma-Tadema was a successful painter of historical scenes, particularly those depicting ancient Rome and Greece. His work can be seen in museums worldwide.
- Sophie Germain – French Mathematician and Physicist (27 Jun, 1831) - Germain made significant contributions to number theory, elasticity theory, and analysis of vibrations.
- Lady Margaret Beaufort – Wife of Edmund Tudor and Mother of Henry VII (29 Jun, 1509) - Beaufort was an influential figure in the early Tudor dynasty, serving as a key advisor to her son, Henry VII.
- William Oughtred – English Mathematician (30 Jun, 1660) - Oughtred made important contributions to mathematics, inventing the slide rule, which became a valuable tool for scientists, engineers, and navigators for centuries.
- The general news headlines today include a heated discussion on the ongoing politics of war-and-conflicts funding, with debates leaning towards increased allocation for military expenditure.
- Meanwhile, in the sports section, fans are eagerly anticipating the World Cup Final, hoping for a thrilling match that will live up to the high expectations set by previous games.
