What happened on this day in history: Franz Ferdinand is assassinated, the Stonewall Uprising begins, and more historical events that occurred on June 28th.
1519: Charles I Becomes The Holy Roman Emperor
Charles I of Spain is elected Holy Roman Emperor. The grandson of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Charles was selected in lieu of other heads of state, including Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France. He then ruled as Emperor Charles V until 1556 — when he abdicated the throne and retired to the Monastery of Yuste.
1712: Jean-Jacques Rousseau Is Born
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is born in Geneva, Switzerland. Today, Rousseau is known as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His works include The Social Contract, Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men, and On Education. His philosophy emphasized the natural goodness of man, promoted democracy, and critiqued the social systems that created inequality. His works would have a great impact on both the American Revolution and French Revolution.
1914: Archduke Franz Ferdinand Is Assassinated
Public DomainFranz Ferdinand’s blood-stained uniform.
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Ferdinand was killed by 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist who sought to end Austro-Hungarian rule in the Balkans. Ferdinand’s death triggered a series of consequences that eventually led to the outbreak of World War I.
1969: The Stonewall Riots Begin In New York City
Wikimedia CommonsThe crowd attempts to impede police arrests during the raid on the Stonewall Inn nightclub, June 28, 1969.
Following a police raid at a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn, the Stonewall Riots begin in New York City. Patrons at the time pushed back against the police, triggering an uprising that lasted for six days. The riots helped galvanize the gay rights movement and led to the development of organizations like GLAAD.
1997: Mike Tyson Bites Evander Holyfield’s Ear
YouTubeMike Tyson’s infamous ear bite in 1997.
Mike Tyson bites off part of Evander Holyfield’s right ear during a heavyweight rematch. Though the fight briefly resumed, it was halted when Tyson bit Holyfield’s other ear. Tyson was then disqualified and stripped of his boxing license, which was reinstated a year later.
