June 17

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed Juneteenth National Independence Day into law, marking it as the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established in 1983. This significant milestone celebrates the end of slavery in the United States, emphasizing the importance of freedom and equality.

In 2017, central Portugal experienced devastating wildfires that resulted in the tragic loss of at least 64 lives and left 204 individuals injured. Discover the impact of these catastrophic events and their effects on local communities.

In 2015, a tragic mass shooting occurred at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals. This devastating event highlighted issues of gun violence and racial tensions in America.

In 1994, O.J. Simpson was famously arrested after a televised low-speed highway chase, facing accusations for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. This incident marked a significant moment in true crime history, capturing the attention of millions.

In 1992, U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed a pivotal "joint understanding" agreement aimed at arms reduction, paving the way for future disarmament initiatives, later formalized in the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty II (START II).

In 1991, a significant milestone in South African history was achieved when the Parliament repealed the Population Registration Act, a law that mandated the racial classification of every South African at birth. This pivotal change marked a critical step towards dismantling apartheid and fostering equality in the nation.

In 1989, Interflug Flight 102 tragically crashed during a rejected takeoff at Berlin Schönefeld Airport, resulting in the loss of 21 lives. This devastating incident remains a significant event in aviation history.

In 1987, the dusky seaside sparrow faced extinction as the last known individual of its species passed away, marking the end of a unique avian lineage. Discover more about this once-thriving bird and its impact on biodiversity.

In 1985, the Space Shuttle program achieved a historic milestone with the STS-51-G mission. The Space Shuttle Discovery launched, featuring Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as a payload specialist, marking him as the first Arab and first Muslim to travel into space. This landmark event highlights the diversity and advancements in space exploration.

In 1972, the Watergate scandal erupted as five White House operatives were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee's offices. This incident was part of a larger scheme by President Richard M. Nixon's administration to illegally wiretap political opponents, ultimately aiming to undermine the democratic process in the United States.