This day in history: 6 july

Europa

• 1942 – Anne Frank Goes into Hiding: On July 6, 1942, Anne Frank and her family went into hiding in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Their experience, documented in Anne’s diary, became one of the most poignant and widely read accounts of Jewish life during the Holocaust.
• 1535 – Execution of Sir Thomas More: In England, Sir Thomas More was executed for high treason on July 6, 1535. More was a prominent statesman, humanist, and author, best known for his work “Utopia”.
• 1557 – King Philip II of Spain Departs for War: King Philip II of Spain, consort of Queen Mary I of England, left Dover on July 6, 1557, to wage war against France. This campaign ultimately led to the loss of Calais, England’s last possession on the European continent.
• 1560 – Treaty of Edinburgh: The Treaty of Edinburgh was signed between Scotland and England on July 6, 1560, ending the siege of Leith and marking a significant step in the Scottish Reformation.
• 1614 – Raid on Żejtun, Malta: Ottoman forces launched a raid on the southeast of Malta, including the town of Żejtun, on July 6, 1614. This was the last major Ottoman attempt to conquer Malta.
• 1630 – Swedish Troops Land in Germany: During the Thirty Years’ War, 4,000 Swedish troops under Gustavus Adolphus landed in Pomerania, Germany, on July 6, 1630, a pivotal moment in the conflict.
• 1885 – Pasteur’s Rabies Vaccine: French scientist Louis Pasteur successfully tested his anti-rabies vaccine on July 6, 1885, marking a milestone in medical history.
• 1968 – End of Internal Tariffs in the European Community: On July 6, 1968, the European Community Member States eliminated internal tariffs on imports, a crucial step in the creation of a single European market.

America

• 1777: British Capture Fort Ticonderoga
  During the American Revolutionary War, British forces captured Fort Ticonderoga in New York, forcing the American Continental Army to retreat. This was a significant loss for the Americans at the time.
• 1785: The U.S. Adopts the Dollar
  The United States Congress adopted the term “dollar” for its official currency and established a decimal-based monetary system, setting the foundation for the modern American currency system.
• 1854: First Republican Party Convention
  The Republican Party held its first convention in Jackson, Michigan, marking the formal organization of a major political party that would play a pivotal role in U.S. history, including the election of Abraham Lincoln.
• 1933: First Major League Baseball All-Star Game
  The inaugural MLB All-Star Game was played at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The American League defeated the National League 4–2, establishing a tradition that continues today.
• 1945: Medal of Freedom Created
  President Harry S. Truman signed an order creating the Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States, awarded for meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the country.
• 2020: U.S. Begins Withdrawal from WHO
  The United States officially began the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organization, a decision with significant global health implications.

Asia

• Kazakhstan’s Capital City Day
  July 6 is celebrated as Capital City Day in Kazakhstan, marking the official presentation of Astana (now called Nur-Sultan, formerly Akmola) as the nation’s capital in 1998. The decision to move the capital from Almaty to Akmola was approved on July 6, 1994, and the new capital was unveiled to the world on this date in 1998.
• Reopening of Nathu La Pass (India–China)
  On July 6, 2006, the Nathu La Pass, a historic trading post between India and China that had been closed since the 1962 Sino-Indian War, was reopened for trade. This pass, part of the ancient Silk Road, connects Tibet with the Indian state of Sikkim and its reopening was a significant step in India–China relations.
• Arab Revolt: Capture of Aqaba
  On July 6, 1917, during World War I, Arab forces led by T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and Auda ibu Tayi captured the port of Aqaba from the Ottoman Empire, a pivotal moment in the Arab Revolt that influenced the course of Middle Eastern history.

Africa

• Independence Day in Malawi (1964)
  On July 6, 1964, Malawi gained its independence from Britain, marking a major milestone as the country emerged from colonial rule to become a sovereign nation.
• Althea Gibson Wins Wimbledon (1957)
  On July 6, 1957, Althea Gibson became the first Black woman to win the women’s singles championship at Wimbledon. While Gibson was American, her victory was a significant moment for people of African descent globally and is often celebrated in African diaspora history.
• Patent Awarded to Patricia Era Bath (1999)
  On July 6, 1999, Dr. Patricia Era Bath, an African American ophthalmologist and inventor, received a patent for her Laser Apparatus for Surgery of Cataractous Lenses. While Bath was American, her achievement is recognized in the context of Black inventors and the global African diaspora.