TODAY IN HISTORY

Today is Monday, June 19, the 170th day of 2017. There are 195 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlights in History:

On June 19, 1867, Maximilian I, emperor of Mexico since 1864, was executed by firing squad a month after being taken prisoner by the forces of President Benito Juarez. The inaugural running of the Belmont Stakes took place; the winner was a filly named Ruthless.

On this date:

In 1944, during World War II, the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea began, resulting in a decisive victory for the Americans over the Japanese.

Ten years ago: A truck bomb struck a Shiite mosque in central Baghdad, killing at least 87 people.

Five years ago: The Southern Baptist Convention voted to elect its first African-American president, the Rev. Fred Luter Jr.

One year ago: LeBron James and his relentless Cavaliers pulled off an improbable NBA Finals comeback to give the city of Cleveland its first title since 1964.

Today’s Birthdays: Pop singer Tommy DeVito (The Four Seasons) is 89. Actress Gena Rowlands is 87. Author Salman Rushdie is 70. Actress Phylicia Rashad is 69.

Thought for Today: “Free thinkers are generally those who never think at all.”—Laurence Sterne, English author (1713-1768).