What happened on this day in history: Francisco Pizarro is assassinated, same-sex marriage becomes legal in the United States, and other historic events that happened on June 26th.
1541: Francisco Pizarro Is Assassinated
Public DomainConquistador Francisco Pizarro, as seen in an 1835 painting.
Francisco Pizarro is killed in Lima, Peru, by supporters of his partner-turned-rival Diego de Almagro. Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador, and Almagro, his fellow soldier, both claimed rights to the Peruvian city of Cusco, and Pizarro had him murdered. Almagro’s supporters then killed Pizarro in revenge.
1807: A Gunpowder Factory Disaster Kills 300 In Luxembourg
Lightning strikes a gunpowder factory in Kirchberg, Luxembourg. The strike triggered an explosion that razed two blocks and killed more than 300 people. It’s believed to be one of the deadliest lightning strikes in history.
1945: The United Nations Charter Is Signed
The charter of the United Nations is signed in San Francisco, California, by delegates from 50 nations followingthe end of World War II. The founding document of the organization, the charter sought to save “succeeding generations from the scourge of war” by maintaining peace, prompting progress, and encouraging the expansion of human rights. Today, the U.N. has 193 member states.
1963: President Kennedy Delivers His “Ich Bin Ein Berliner” Speech
President John F. Kennedy gives an historic speech in Berlin in which he is laughed at when he tries to speak the German phrase “Ich bin ein Berliner” and mistakenly tells the crowd “I am a jelly doughnut” — or so the story goes. While Kennedy did indeed use that phrase, he delivered it correctly and the crowd understood it to mean “I am a Berliner.”
It wasn’t until decades later that an urban legend began to spread claiming that the crowd understood “Berliner” to refer to a type of jelly doughnut, inspiring uproarious laughter. In fact, to this day, Kennedy’s rousing speech remains one of the most momentous moments in the history of the Cold War.
1997: Israel Kamakawiwo’ole Dies
Universal MusicIsrael Kamakawiwo’ole was beloved around the world for his rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole dies of respiratory failure in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 38. The famous musician, who famously sang a soul-stirring rendition of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” had long suffered from health problems because of his chronic obesity.
2015: Same-Sex Marriage Becomes Legal In The U.S.
The Supreme Court announces its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, declaring that bans on same-sex marriages and bans on recognizing same-sex marriages were unconstitutional. The case originated with a gay couple named Jim Obergefell and John Arthur, whose marriage was recognized in Maryland but not in Ohio. The Supreme Court decision effectively made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.
