What Happened on June 6?

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EVENTS ON JUNE 6

Explore the most important historical events that happened on June 6, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Shewa

Year: 1882

The Shewan forces of Menelik II of Ethiopia defeat the Gojjame army in the Battle of Embabo. The Shewans capture Negus Tekle Haymanot of Gojjam, and their victory leads to a Shewan hegemony over the territories south of the Abay River.

American Civil War

Year: 1862

American Civil War: The First Battle of Memphis, a naval engagement fought on the Mississippi River, results in the capture of Memphis, Tennessee by Union forces from the Confederates.

Queensland

Year: 1859

Queensland is established as a separate colony from New South Wales. The date is still celebrated as Queensland Day.

Great Seattle Fire

Year: 1889

The Great Seattle Fire destroys all of downtown Seattle.

The Chicago "L" is the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs in the U.S. state of Illinois. Operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), it is the fourth-largest rapid transit system in the United States in terms of total route length, at 102.8 miles (165.4 km) long as of 2014, and the third-busiest rapid transit system in the United States after the New York City Subway and the Washington Metro. As of January 2024, the "L" had 1,480 rail cars operating across eight different routes on 224.1 miles of track. CTA trains make about 1,888 trips each day servicing 146 train stations. In 2024, the system had 127,463,400 rides, or about 422,200 per weekday in the second quarter of 2025.

Chicago "L"

Year: 1892

The Chicago "L" elevated rail system begins operation.

World War I

Year: 1918

World War I: U.S. Marine Corps suffers its worst single day's casualties during the Battle of Belleau Wood while attempting to recapture the wood at Château-Thierry (the losses are exceeded at the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943).

Novarupta

Year: 1912

The eruption of Novarupta in Alaska begins. It is the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

List of governors of Colorado

Year: 1894

Governor Davis H. Waite orders the Colorado state militia to protect and support the miners engaged in the Cripple Creek miners' strike.

BIRTHS ON JUNE 6

Discover famous people and historical figures born on June 6, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Edwin G. Krebs

Year of birth: 1918

Edwin G. Krebs, American biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 2009)

Kirk Kerkorian

Year of birth: 1917

Kirk Kerkorian, American businessman, founded the Tracinda Corporation (died 2015)

Kenneth Connor

Year of birth: 1918

Kenneth Connor, English comedy actor (died 1993)

Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington

Year of birth: 1919

Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington, English army officer and politician, 6th Secretary General of NATO (died 2018)

Joseph I of Portugal

Year of birth: 1714

Joseph I of Portugal, King of Portugal from 31 July 1750 until his death (died 1777)

Hamani Diori

Year of birth: 1916

Hamani Diori, Nigerien academic and politician, 1st President of Niger (died 1989)

Vincent Persichetti

Year of birth: 1915

Vincent Persichetti, American pianist and composer (died 1987)

Aram Khachaturian

Year of birth: 1903

Aram Khachaturian, Armenian composer and conductor (died 1978)

DEATHS ON JUNE 6

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on June 6, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

John A. Macdonald

Year of death: 1891

John A. Macdonald, Scottish-Canadian lawyer and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Canada (born 1815)

Yuan Shikai

Year of death: 1916

Yuan Shikai, Chinese general and politician, 2nd President of the Republic of China (born 1859)

Henri Vieuxtemps

Year of death: 1881

Henri Vieuxtemps, Belgian violinist and composer (born 1820)

Robert Stirling

Year of death: 1878

Robert Stirling, Scottish minister and engineer, invented the stirling engine (born 1790)

William Quantrill

Year of death: 1865

William Quantrill, American Confederate guerrilla band leader (born 1837)

Lillian Russell

Year of death: 1922

Lillian Russell, American actress and singer (born 1860)

Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy

Year of death: 1935

Julian Byng, 1st Viscount Byng of Vimy, English field marshal and politician, 12th Governor-General of Canada (born 1862)

Auguste and Louis Lumière

Year of death: 1948

Louis Lumière, French film director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1864)

HOLIDAYS ON JUNE 6

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on June 6 around the world.

Memorial Day (South Korea)

Memorial Day in South Korea

National Day of Sweden

National Day of Sweden, marking the end of the Kalmar Union and the coronation of King Gustav Vasa

Huntington's disease

National Huntington's Disease Awareness Day in the United States

UN Russian Language Day

Claudius of Besançon

Christian feast day: Claudius of Besançon

Normandy landings

D-Day Invasion Anniversary

Maria Laura Mainetti

Christian feast day: Blessed Maria Laura Mainetti

Marcellin Champagnat

Christian feast day: Marcellin Champagnat

June