What happened on this day in history: The Korean War begins, Michael Jackson dies, and more important events from the past.
1741: Maria Theresa Crowned Queen Of Hungary
Maria Theresa is crowned Queen of Hungary. The eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, Maria Theresa first ascended to power after his death in 1740. She later became the Holy Roman Empress.
1876: The Battle Of Little Bighorn Begins
Library of CongressA depiction of the Battle of Little Bighorn.
The Battle of Little Bighorn begins in Montana Territory. Tensions had long risen between Native Americans and white settlers in the region, and they came to a breaking point when the U.S. broke past treaties following the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. Native leaders like Sitting Bull led 3,000 men to victory over General George Custer and his 600 troops, with the general himself dying following his famous “Last Stand.”
1950: The Korean War Begins
Some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army march across the 38th parallel into South Korea, triggering the Korean War. The conflict killed some 5 million soldiers and civilians. The war came to a halt with an armistice in July 1953 but, without a peace treaty, never technically ended.
1977: Roy Sullivan Is Struck By Lightning For The Seventh Time
National Park ServiceRoy Sullivan shows how a lightning bolt struck his hat.
Roy Sullivan is struck by lightning for the seventh — and final — time. Sullivan, a park ranger, was struck seven times between 1942 and 1977. To this day, Sullivan still holds the record for the person struck by lightning the most times. Tragically, he later died by suicide in 1983.
2007: Michel Lotito, The Man With The Strangest Diet, Dies
Michel Lotito, a French performer, dies in Grenoble, France. Lotito rose to fame in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s for consuming inedible objects, including screws, bolts, and even a plane.
2009: Michael Jackson Dies
Michael Jackson dies at the age of 50 in Los Angeles, California, from cardiac arrest triggered by an overdose of propofol and other drugs. One of America’s most iconic pop stars, Jackson was a member of his family’s band The Jackson 5 before he branched out as a solo artist with hits like “Beat It” and “Thriller.” His legacy has been clouded in recent decades, however, by allegations of child molestation.
