DAY IN HISTORY

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 07, 2023

Today is the 158th day of 2023 and the 80th day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

In 1776, Richard Henry Lee proposed to the Continental Congress a resolution calling for a declaration of independence.

In 1929, Vatican City became a sovereign state.

In 1942, the Battle of Midway ended in a U.S. victory against Japan.

In 1971, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling set the precedent that vulgar writing is protected under the First Amendment.

In 2006, Abu Musab al-zarqawi, leader of alqaida in Iraq, was killed by a U.S. airstrike.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS:

Paul Gauguin (1848-1903), painter; James Braddock (19051974), boxer; Jessica Tandy (1909-1994), actress; Gwendolyn Brooks (19172000), poet; Dean Martin (1917-1995), singer/actor; Tom Jones (1940- ), singer; Liam Neeson (1952- ), actor; Orhan Pamuk (1952- ), author; Prince (1958-2016), singersongwriter/musician; Karl Urban (1972- ), actor; Allen Iverson (1975- ), basketball player; Bill Hader (1978- ), actor/comedian; Anna Kournikova (1981), tennis player; Michael Cera (1988- ), actor; Iggy Azalea (1990- ), rapper.

TODAY’S FACT: Pope Julius II hired the Swiss Guard to serve as his personal protection in 1506. The paid mercenary force has been protecting popes in Vatican City ever since.

TODAY’S SPORTS:

In 1978, the Washington Bullets (now Wizards) won the franchise’s first and only NBA championship.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“Art hurts. Art urges voyages - and it is easier to stay at home.” -- Gwendolyn Brooks

TODAY’S NUMBER:

1,000 -- estimated population of Vatican City in 2023.

TODAY’S MOON:

Between full moon (June 3) and last quarter moon (June 10).