What happened on June 26th?

I am a donut?

Author

Matthew Jones
June 26, 2024

Happy Hump Day!

On this day, June 26th, we commemorate a variety of events. Today’s spotlight is on President John F. Kennedy’s iconic “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech, a landmark moment in the Cold War that underscored the United States' support for West Germany amidst the Berlin Crisis. 

Here's what else happened on this day in history:

🗣️1963: John F. Kennedy Delivered His "Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech

Amidst heightened Cold War tensions, President John F. Kennedy visited West Berlin and delivered this iconic speech.

Speaking near the Berlin Wall, Kennedy declared solidarity with West Berliners and emphasized the U.S. commitment to defending freedom against communist oppression. This visit followed the 1961 construction of the Berlin Wall, which divided East and West Berlin. Kennedy's declaration underscored the ideological battle between the West and the Soviet Union, reinforcing U.S. support for West Berlin and symbolizing resistance to communist expansion, marking a defining Cold War moment.

Funninly enough, in German, “Berliners” are also a type of donut specially made to celebrate the New Year. Today, this phrase is laughed upon for in some sense Kennedy was saying “I am a donut.” However, this was not his true intention and should not take away from the symbolic meaning of his speech.

Read more about Cold War and how it impacted ordinary people in The Cold War: The Ordinary People who Helped Shaped the Future and Berlin Wall and it’s eventuall fall in The Fall of the Berlin Wall: History, Meaning, Causes, Consequences.

The photo shows president John F. Kennedy speaking in West Berlin. This speech, is one of his most famous addresses. In front of a large and enthusiastic crowd near the Berlin Wall, Kennedy expressed solidarity with the citizens of West Berlin during a tense period of the Cold War.

🛩️1948: U.S. Began Berlin Airlift

The United States, reacting to the Soviet Union's blockade of West Berlin, initiated the Berlin Airlift to supply the city with essential goods. The Soviet blockade aimed to force the Allies out of Berlin by cutting off all ground routes, leaving over two million residents without food, fuel, and necessities.

The U.S., along with British and French forces, organized an airlift, flying thousands of tons of supplies daily into West Berlin's Tempelhof and Tegel airports for over a year. This operation, later famously referenced in John F. Kennedy's "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech, showcased the West's commitment to Berlin, countered Soviet aggression, and led to the blockade's end in 1949.

👑1483: Richard Plantagenet Began His Reign

The Duke of Gloucester seized the English throne to become King Richard III amidst the turmoil of the Wars of the Roses. This dynastic conflict between the houses of York and Lancaster had ravaged England for decades, leading to shifting allegiances and numerous battles. His brief reign, marked by the mysterious disappearance of his nephews, the Princes in the Tower, ended in 1485 when Henry Tudor's forces, with support from disaffected Yorkists and foreign allies, defeated and killed him at the Battle of Bosworth Field.

This decisive battle ended the Plantagenet dynasty and ushered in the Tudor era, which also brough about significant reforms in English government, including ceding even more power to Parliament.

💉1721: Zabdiel Boylston Began the First Smallpox Vaccinations

Amidst a severe smallpox outbreak in Boston, Boylston, influenced by the knowledge of inoculation practices in Africa and Turkey, courageously inoculated his son and two enslaved individuals. This risky procedure involved deliberately infecting them with a mild form of the virus to build immunity.

Despite widespread fear and opposition, Boylston’s success laid the foundation for modern vaccination practices and significantly advanced the fight against infectious diseases in the colonies. Read about the discovery and evolution of the smallpox vaccine in Who Invented The Smallpox Vaccine? The Pioneers Behind Smallpox Eradication.

⚔️1862: Rebels Struck Union Forces at the Battle of Mechanicsville

Amid the American Civil War, Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee launched a fierce assault against Union troops led by General George B. McClellan at the Battle of Mechanicsville.

This clash, part of the Seven Days Battles during the Peninsula Campaign, occurred near Richmond, Virginia, as Lee aimed to push the Union Army away from the Confederate capital.

Despite the intensity of the Confederate attack, Union forces held their ground, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Read about the American Civil War in The American Civil War: Dates, Causes, and People. 

✈️1917: First U.S. Troops Arrived in France

American soldiers, as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, landed in France to support the beleaguered Allied forces as World War I raged across Europe. This reinforcement came after the United States declared war on Germany in April 1917, responding to unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram, which proposed a German-Mexican alliance.

Fresh American troops boosted Allied morale and provided essential manpower, significantly impacting battles like Cantigny, Saint-Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, ultimately accelerating the conflict's end and leading to the Armistice in November 1918.

✒️1945: U.N. Charter Was Signed

Delegates from fifty nations met in San Francisco to sign the United Nations Charter, establishing an international organization for promoting peace, security, and cooperation after the devastation of World War II..

🛣️1956: Congress Approved Federal Highway Act

The Act initiated the construction of the Interstate Highway System, which transformed American transportation. Spearheaded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the act allocated $25 billion for the construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways over 13 years. This vast network aimed to enhance national defense, reduce traffic congestion, and promote economic growth by connecting major cities across the country.

🌆1976: Opening of CN Tower

Toronto opened the CN Tower to enhance communication signals and showcase Canadian engineering excellence. At 1,815 feet, it became the world's tallest free-standing structure. Built in 40 months for $63 million, the tower featured observation decks with unparalleled city and Lake Ontario views. As a major tourist attraction, the CN Tower symbolized Toronto's growth and modernization, holding the tallest structure record until 2007 and boosting the city's global profile while advancing architectural and engineering techniques.

🎤1977: Elvis Presley Performed in Public for the Last Time

Elvis Presley gave his final public concert in Indianapolis at Market Square Arena, marking the end of an era. As the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," Elvis had revolutionized music with his unique style and captivating performances. Despite his declining health, this last show on his extensive tour drew thousands of fans, showcasing his enduring popularity. His untimely death just weeks later on August 16, 1977, cemented the concert's significance and solidified his legacy as an iconic figure in music history.

🥊1979: Muhammad Ali Announced His Retirement

Known for his quick footwork, sharp wit, and powerful punches, Ali won the world heavyweight title three times and fought iconic bouts against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman. Following a series of grueling matches and declining health, particularly symptoms of Parkinson's disease, Ali's departure marked the end of an era, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest athletes and cultural icons of the 20th century.

⚡1997: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Was First Published

This debut novel, which the author J.K. Rowling wrote while struggling as a single mother, follows the young wizard Harry as he discovers his magical heritage and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The book's immediate success led to a seven-part series, selling over 500 million copies in dozens of languages. It also spawned a massive franchise including movies, merchandise, and theme parks, revolutionizing young adult literature and profoundly impacting popular culture.

⚖️2013: Defense of Marriage Act

The U.S. Supreme Court declared the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, advancing marriage equality. DOMA, enacted in 1996, had defined marriage federally as between one man and one woman, denying same-sex couples federal benefits. The case arose when Edith Windsor, a widow, was denied a spousal estate tax exemption because her marriage to Thea Spyer wasn't recognized under DOMA. The Court ruled that DOMA violated the Fifth Amendment's equal protection guarantee. This decision paved the way for nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015.

🏳️‍🌈2015: Same-Sex Marriage is Made Legal

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, legalizing it nationwide. The decision came from cases where same-sex couples challenged state bans, with the Court finding that such bans violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection and due process clauses. This landmark ruling overturned bans in several states, mandating that all marriages receive equal recognition and protection.

🌟Born on This Day in History

1819: Abner Doubleday, United States Military Officer

Abner Doubleday was a United States military officer who served with distinction in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, playing a key role in the early defense of Fort Sumter. Despite popular myth, he is often mistakenly credited with inventing baseball, a claim widely debunked by historians.

1891: Sidney Howard, Writer

Sidney Howard won a Pulitzer Prize for his play They Knew What They Wanted and also adapted Gone with the Wind for the screen.

1993: Ariana Grande, Singer and Actress

Ariana Grande is known for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits. She gained fame with roles on Nickelodeon and later achieved international success with her music career, earning numerous awards and accolades.

💔Died on This Day in History

363: Julian, Roman Emperor

Julian, also known as Julian the Apostate, was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 361 to 363. Renowned for his efforts to restore paganism and oppose the spread of Christianity, Julian's reign was cut short when he died during a campaign against the Persian Empire. Read more in our Julian the Apostate: The Last Pagan Emperor.

1541: Francisco Pizarro, Spanish Explorer

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire in Peru. He was assassinated on June 26, 1541, by political rivals in Lima, marking a violent end to his influential and controversial career.

1830: George IV, King of the United Kingdom

George IV, who reigned as King of the United Kingdom from 1820 to 1830, was known for his extravagant lifestyle and patronage of the arts. His reign was marked by personal scandals and political turmoil.

Stay tuned for more insights coming your way tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Matt