In her later years, Smith was impaired by diabetes. In 1976, she suffered brain damage after slipping into a diabetic coma. In January 1986, Kate’s right leg was amputated due to poor circulation caused by diabetes. Five months later, she underwent a mastectomy. On June 17, 1986, Smith died of respiratory arrest at Raleigh Community Hospital in Raleigh at the age of 79.
On this day in 1858, in a speech in Springfield, IL, U.S. Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln said the slavery issue had to be resolved. He declared, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
On this day in 1963, 26-year-old Valentina Tereshkova went into orbit aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft for three days. She was the first female space traveler.
Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova turned 81 on March 6.
In Soweto on this day in 1976, thousands of school children revolted against the South African government’s plan to enforce Afrikaans as the language for instruction in black schools
An 18-year old South African school boy is seen carrying a dying 13-year old Hector Pieterson.
On this day in 1961, Rudolf Nureyev defected from the Soviet Union while in Paris, traveling with the Leningrad Kirov Ballet.
Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (March 17, 1938 – January 6, 1993)
Nureyev entered a hospital in Paris, France on November 20, 1992 and remained there until his death from AIDS complications at age 54.
Nazi Germany’s troops entered Paris on this day in 1940. As Paris became occupied loud speakers announced the implementation of a curfew being imposed for 8 p.m.
A French civilian weeping as German soldiers marched into Paris.
Also on this same day in 1940, the Nazis opened their concentration camp at Auschwitz in German-occupied Poland.
Trans World Airlines Flight 847 was a flight from Cairo to San Diego with in route stops in Athens, Rome, Boston, and Los Angeles. On the morning of Friday, June 14, 1985 Flight 847 was hijacked shortly after take off from Athens. The hijackers were seeking the release of 700 Shi’ite Muslims from Israeli custody.
United States Navy diver Robert Stethem (below) was murdered, and his body was thrown onto the tarmac. Dozens of passengers were held hostage over the next two weeks until released by their captors after some of their demands were met.
Robert Stethem
On this day in 1777, The Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the "Stars and Stripes" as the national flag of the United States. The Flag Resolution stated "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation." On May 20, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson (below) officially proclaimed June 14 "Flag Day" as a commemoration of the "Stars and Stripes."
Thomas Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924)
Donald John Trump (born and raised in the New York City) is 72 years old today. He is the 45th and current President of the United States.
Trump made his mark as a successful businessman, becoming a prominent a real estate developer. He founded The Trump Organization and was the host of the popular reality TV series The Apprentice.
Donald Trump played football, soccer, and baseball at the New York Military Academy as a teenager. He later graduated from the prestigious Wharton School of Business.
The New York Times began publishing the "Pentagon Papers" on this day in 1971. The articles were a secret study of America’s involvement in Vietnam.
On this day in 1967, Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall (left) was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson (right) to become the first black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The landmark "Miranda v. Arizona" decision was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court on this day in 1966 . The decision ruled that criminal suspects had to be informed of their constitutional rights before being questioned by police.
China’s Boxer Rebellion against foreigners and Chinese Christians erupted into violence on this day in 1900.
The unmanned U.S. space probe Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system on this day in 1983. It was launched in March 1972. The first up-close images of the planet Jupiter were provided by Pioneer 10.
Benjamin David "Benny" Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986)
Benny Goodman was a jazz clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing”. He led some of the most “popular musical groups in the mid-1930s. These bands launched the careers of many major jazz artists. Despite
increasing health problems, he continued to play until his death from a heart attack in New York City in 1986, at the age of 77,
On this day in 1987, U.S, President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. It was 29 months later when Gorbachev allowed Berliners to destroy the wall.
On September 12,1990, now-former President Reagan returned to Berlin with wife Nancy, where he personally took a few symbolic hammer swings at a remnant of the Berlin Wall.
On this day in 1963, Civil rights leader Medgar Evers was fatally shot in front of his home in Jackson, MS.
Medgar Wiley Evers(July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963)
Byron De La Beckwith was accused of killing civil rights activist Medgar Evers in 1963. After two trials had hung juries in 1964, he was finally convicted of the crime in 1994. He received a life sentence in prison where he died on January 21, 2001 at the age of 80.
On 12 June 1978, Berkowitz was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for each murder, to be served consecutively. The Serial killer had terrorized the streets of New York City for over a year. killing six people and leaving seven others severely injured. He was being called the .44 Caliber Killer at the time.
David Richard Berkowitz turned 65 on June 1.
In 1987, Berkowitz claimed to have become an evangelical Christian while in prison. According to his personal testimony, his moment of conversion occurred after reading Psalm 34:6 from a Bible given to him by a fellow inmate. He says he is no longer to be referred to as the "Son of Sam" but the "Son of Hope".
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated in Cooperstown, New York on this day in 1939.
This famous photo from the 1939 Hall of Fame dedication ceremony is missing Ty Cobb, who received more votes than any other player in the first election.
