What Happened on June 14?

The Nazis seize Paris and begin their campaign of horror

Author

Matthew Jones
June 14, 2024

It’s Friday and we narrowly escaped Friday the 13th.

As far as historical events go, today is a bit of a dark one. German forces entered Paris, marking a turning point in World War II. Meanwhile, the first prisoners arrived at Auschwitz, beginning one of history's darkest chapters. 

Here’s more on these events and the other stuff that happened today in history.

🏴1940: German Forces Entered Paris and the First Prisoners Arrived at Auschwitz

On this day in 1940, German forces entered Paris, marking a significant and somber moment in World War II as the French capital fell under Nazi occupation. Around the same time, the first prisoners arrived at Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration and extermination camp in occupied Poland, beginning a dark chapter in history characterized by unimaginable atrocities and the systematic genocide of millions. 

These events signaled the expanding reach of Nazi tyranny across Europe and the beginning of one of the most horrific periods in human history. 

Read about other events of WWII and its atrocities in WW2 Timeline and Dates and Echoes: How Anne Frank’s Story Reached the World.

The photo shows the first prisoners of Auschwitz. In 1940, amidst the backdrop of Nazi occupation, the first transport of prisoners arrived at the train station in Tarnów, destined for KL Auschwitz. This transport consisted mainly of Polish political prisoners, although it also included some Jewish individuals. They were rounded up as part of the Nazi regime's campaign to suppress dissent and exert control over occupied territories. The events preceding this transport were marked by the systematic persecution and targeting of political opponents, minorities, and those deemed undesirable by the Nazi authorities. The arrival of these prisoners in Tarnów symbolizes the beginning of a harrowing chapter in human history, as Auschwitz-Birkenau would later become synonymous with the horrors of the Holocaust.

🏹1645: The New Model Army Defeated the Royalists in the Battle of Naseby

In 1645, the New Model Army, led by Oliver Cromwell and Sir Thomas Fairfax, achieved a decisive victory over the Royalist forces in the Battle of Naseby during the English Civil War. This battle effectively sealed the fate of King Charles I's forces, leading to the eventual defeat of the Royalists and the collapse of the monarchy's military power. The Battle of Naseby marked a turning point in the conflict. It solidified Parliament's control and paved the way for the establishment of the Commonwealth under Cromwell's leadership.

🎇1777: The Continental Congress Approved the Stars and Stripes

In 1777, the Continental Congress approved the design for the Stars and Stripes, officially adopting it as the flag of the United States. This iconic flag, featuring thirteen alternating red and white stripes representing the original thirteen colonies, along with a blue field adorned with thirteen white stars, symbolized unity and independence for the newly formed nation.

💻1951: Dedication of UNIVAC

The world's first commercially produced computer was dedicated, revolutionizing data processing and computing. Developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, UNIVAC marked the beginning of the computer age and impacted business, science, and government operations. Read more about first computers in The First Computer: Technology that Changed the World.

🏴‍☠️1982: Falklands War Ended

The Falklands War, a conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, came to an end. The war concluded with the British forces successfully retaking control of the islands after a series of fierce battles and amphibious landings. The Falklands War resulted in significant loss of life on both sides and had lasting political and diplomatic repercussions for Argentina and the UK.

🌟Born on This Day in History

1805: Robert Anderson, United States Army Officer

Robert Anderson was a distinguished United States Army officer who served his country with honor and dedication. Anderson's career spanned significant moments in American history, including his command at Fort Sumter during the Civil War.

1811: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Writer and Educator

Harriet Beecher Stowe was a renowned American writer and educator best known for her groundbreaking novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, published in 1852. It depicted the harsh realities of slavery in the United States and helped galvanize support for the abolitionist movement. Her influential work sparked national debates on the moral implications of slavery and contributed to the growing momentum for social change in America. 

1928: Che Guevara, Argentine-Cuban Revolutionary

Ernesto "Che" Guevara was an Argentine-Cuban revolutionary. Guevara played a significant role in the Cuban Revolution alongside Fidel Castro, leading to the overthrow of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. Renowned for his Marxist beliefs, Guevara became a symbol of anti-imperialism and revolutionary movements worldwide.

1946: Donald Trump, President of the United States

Donald Trump is the 45th President of the United States. His presidency, which began in January 2017, was marked by controversial policies, significant political polarization, and unprecedented events, including two impeachments.

💔Died on This Day in History

847: St. Methodius I, Patriarch of Constantinople

St. Methodius I, serving as the Patriarch of Constantinople from 843 to 847, played a crucial role in the restoration of the veneration of icons in the Byzantine Empire. Methodius was instrumental in promoting the decision made during the Second Council of Nicaea in 787, which affirmed the legitimacy of the use of icons in Christian worship. His efforts contributed to the preservation of Orthodox Christian traditions and the reconciliation of theological disputes within the Byzantine Church. Read about Constantinople in Constantinople: The History and Importance of the Capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

1801: Benedict Arnold, General

Benedict Arnold was the infamous American general who defected to the British during the American Revolutionary War. He conspired to surrender the strategic fort of West Point to the British in exchange for money and a commission in the British Army. Despite his earlier heroism in battles like Saratoga, Arnold's treachery tarnished his reputation.

1883: Edward FitzGerald, British Author

Edward FitzGerald was a British author best known for his translation of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. FitzGerald's translation of the Persian poetry collection earned widespread acclaim for its lyrical beauty and philosophical depth. His work introduced Western audiences to the rich literary heritage of Persian literature.

1920: Max Weber, German Sociologist

Max Weber was an influential German sociologist, renowned for his contributions to sociology, particularly his theories on bureaucracy, rationalization, and the Protestant work ethic. His work laid the foundation for modern sociological studies and continues to be highly influential in fields such as sociology, economics, and political science.

While today is dominated by dark WW2 events, there are also some bright spots to remember. History tends to do that to us.

Thanks for reading and we’ll talk tomorrow. 

Matt

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