What happened on June 20th?

It’s Thursday and the weekend is almost here. But before you rush your life away, there’s some history to be learned 🙂

Let's head back to June 20, 1837, when a young Victoria woke up thinking it was just another day—little did she know, she was about to become Queen of the United Kingdom! One day you're worried about picking the right tea set, and the next, you're ruling an empire. 

Read about how Queen Victoria became a Queen and what her reign was like, and find out what other interesting events marked this day in history.

👑1837: Victoria Became Queen of the United Kingdom

Queen Victoria ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom following the death of her uncle, King William IV. At just 18 years old, Victoria became one of the longest-reigning monarchs in British history, ruling for over 63 years until her death in 1901. 

Her reign, known now  as the Victorian Era, was characterized by significant social, economic, and technological changes, including the Industrial Revolution and the expansion of the British Empire. 

During Queen Victoria's reign, Britain also emerged as a global superpower. Read more about Queen Victoria and other British monarchs in The Kings and Queens of England: English Monarchs Timeline from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.

📜1567: Casket Letters Were Found

A silver casket containing letters allegedly written by Mary, Queen of Scots, was discovered. These letters implicated her in a plot to murder her husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, who had died under suspicious circumstances earlier that year. The discovery led to her forced abdication of the Scottish throne in favor of her infant son James, her subsequent imprisonment, and long-lasting political instability in Scotland. This event set the stage for James VI to eventually unify the Scottish and English crowns. Read about Mary, Queen of Scots in Queen Mary of Scots: Early Life, Family, Reign, and Death.

🦅1782: Congress Adopted the Great Seal of the United States

Amid the American Revolutionary War, the U.S. Congress sought a powerful symbol for the new nation. They approved the Great Seal of the United States to embody the country's sovereignty and ideals. The seal features a bald eagle clutching an olive branch and arrows, symbolizing the nation's commitment to peace and readiness for war. The eagle holds a scroll with the motto "E Pluribus Unum," meaning "Out of many, one," reflecting state unity. The thirteen stars above the eagle represent the original colonies. 

🤝1789: Third Estate Made the  Tennis Court Oath

Amid a financial crisis caused by war debts and King Louis XVI's extravagant spending, France faced widespread poverty and inequality. Heavy taxes burdened commoners while the nobility and clergy enjoyed privileges. Locked out of the Estates-General meeting, members of the Third Estate, representing the commoners, convened in a tennis court. They took the Tennis Court Oath, vowing not to separate until they established a new constitution for France. This act united the people against the monarchy and nobility and ignited the French Revolution. Read how this fits into the entire about the French Revolution history and timeline.

🌄1863: West Virginia Entered the Union

During the Civil War, the northwestern region of Virginia opposed secession and officially became West Virginia, the 35th state. Residents, mostly small farmers with fewer ties to slavery, held strong Unionist sentiments and rejected Virginia's Confederate government. West Virginia's creation was crucial for the Union, securing control over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and vital mineral resources. This event highlighted Virginia's stark economic and social differences, with the plantation economy of the East contrasting sharply with the subsistence farming of the West. Read about the American Civil War in The American Civil War: Dates, Causes, and People.

🛠️1941: Ford Signed First Contract with Autoworkers’ Union

Ford Motor Company, after years of resisting unionization, signed its first contract with the United Auto Workers (UAW). Ford used aggressive tactics to suppress unions, but growing labor unrest and government pressure during a time of increased industrial demand led to this breakthrough. The contract improved wages, working conditions, and job security for thousands of workers, setting a precedent for labor relations and strengthening the broader labor movement in the United States. Read about Ford’s contributions to America in Fast Moving: Henry Ford’s Contributions to America.

☎️1963: United States and Soviet Union Agreed to Establish a Nuclear “Hot Line”

In the tense climate of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to establish a direct communication link between Washington and Moscow, known as the "Hot Line." This decision came in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war due to miscommunication and delays. The Hot Line aimed to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear conflict by allowing leaders to quickly and directly discuss urgent matters. Read about the Cold War and its people in The Cold War: The Ordinary People who Helped Shaped the Future.

🌟Born on This Day

1723: Adam Ferguson, Scottish Philosopher

Adam Ferguson was a prominent Scottish philosopher and historian. Often associated with the Scottish Enlightenment, Ferguson made significant contributions to social and political philosophy. His most notable work, An Essay on the History of Civil Society (1767), examined the development of human societies and emphasized the role of social interaction and civic virtue. Ferguson's ideas influenced contemporary thinkers and contributed to the development of sociology and modern social sciences.

1925: Audie Murphy, U.S. War Hero and Actor

Audie Murphy became one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. Enlisting in the Army at a young age, Murphy demonstrated extraordinary bravery and resilience and earned numerous honors, including the Medal of Honor, the highest U.S. military award for valor. After the war, he transitioned to a successful acting career in Hollywood, starring in more than 40 films, including To Hell and Back, which was based on his autobiography.

1952: John Goodman, Actor

John Goodman is a highly acclaimed American actor known for his versatile performances in film, television, and theater. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Dan Conner on the popular sitcom Roseanne, which earned him a Golden Globe Award.

1967: Nicole Kidman, Australian Actress

Nicole Kidman is an acclaimed Australian actress. She first gained international fame with her role in the thriller Dead Calm and solidified her status with hits like Moulin Rouge!, The Hours, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, and Big Little Lies.

💔Died on This Day

840: Louis I, Holy Roman Emperor

Louis I, also known as Louis the Pious, was the Holy Roman Emperor from 814 until his death on June 20, 840. The third son of Charlemagne, he was crowned emperor in 813 and succeeded his father the following year. Louis sought to maintain the unity of the Frankish Empire but faced significant challenges, including internal revolts by his sons and external threats. His reign was marked by efforts to reform the church and the administration of the empire.

1837: William IV, King of Great Britain

William IV, known as the "Sailor King" for his naval career, was the King of Great Britain and Ireland from June 26, 1830, until his death. He ascended the throne at the age of 64 after the death of his brother, George IV. His reign was marked by significant political reforms. Notably, he oversaw the passage of the Reform Act of 1832, which expanded the electorate and reformed the British parliamentary system.

Enjoy your day, and stay curious about the past!

Thanks,

Matt