This day in history: 21 june

Europa

• Opening of the Kiel Canal (1895)
  On June 21, 1895, the Kiel Canal—a 98 km (61 mile) artificial waterway in northern Germany—was officially opened by German Emperor Wilhelm II. This canal connects the North Sea with the Baltic Sea, significantly shortening maritime routes and becoming one of the world’s busiest artificial waterways.
• Construction Begins on St. Paul’s Cathedral, London (1675)
  On June 21, 1675, construction began on St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The cathedral would become one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, with its design influenced by Italian architecture.
• Election of Pope Paul VI (1963)
  On June 21, 1963, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini was elected as Pope Paul VI. His papacy was notable for completing the Second Vatican Council, which modernized many aspects of the Roman Catholic Church and improved its relations with other religions.
• Identification of Josef Mengele’s Remains (1985)
  On June 21, 1985, an international team of scientists confirmed that skeletal remains found in Brazil were those of Josef Mengele, the infamous Nazi war criminal and physician at Auschwitz. Mengele had evaded capture after World War II and died in 1979.
• Greenland Assumes Self-Rule (2009)
  While not part of continental Europe, Greenland’s move toward self-government on June 21, 2009, is significant in European history due to its longstanding ties with Denmark. The Self-Government Act granted Greenland control over its internal affairs, while Denmark retained authority over foreign policy and defense.

America

• New Hampshire Ratifies the U.S. Constitution (1788)
  On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, making it the law of the land and establishing the framework for the United States government.
• Battle of Okinawa Ends (1945)
  The Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific during World War II, ended on June 21, 1945, with the defeat of Japanese resistance. This marked a crucial step toward the end of the war.
• Civil Rights Workers Murdered in Mississippi (1964)
  On June 21, 1964, three civil rights workers—Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner—were murdered by Ku Klux Klan members in Neshoba County, Mississippi, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement that galvanized national outrage and led to significant federal action.
• U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
  Guinn v. United States (1915): The Supreme Court struck down Oklahoma’s “grandfather clause” laws that disenfranchised Black voters.
• Miller v. California (1973): The Court established the “Miller test” for determining what constitutes obscene material not protected by the First Amendment.
• 1898: The U.S. captured Guam from Spain during the Spanish-American War.
• 1913: Georgia Broadwick became the first woman to parachute from an airplane.
• 1934: Cyrus McCormick patented the mechanical reaper, revolutionizing American agriculture.
• 1982: John Hinckley Jr. was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan.
• 1989: The Supreme Court ruled in Texas v. Johnson that flag-burning is protected free speech.

Asia

• End of the Battle of Okinawa (1945)
  On June 21, 1945, Japanese resistance on Okinawa was finally crushed. This marked the end of one of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific during World War II, with the island serving as the last major stepping-stone before the planned Allied assault on Japan’s main islands.
• Battle of Haldighati (1576)
  On June 21, 1576, the Mughal army led by Emperor Akbar defeated Rana Pratap Singh in the Battle of Haldighati, a significant event in Indian history.
• Chakravarti Rajagopalachari Becomes First Indian Governor-General (1948)
  On June 21, 1948, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari took office as the first Indian Governor-General of independent India, marking a key milestone in the country’s transition from British rule.

Africa

• Capture of Tobruk (1942)
  On June 21, 1942, during World War II, German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel captured the fortress of Tobruk in Libya, along with its 33,000-man garrison and significant supplies. This defeat was a major blow to Allied forces in North Africa and marked a turning point in the North African campaigns.