Paul the Octopus correctly predicted Spain would beat Germany in the World Cup semifinal
The psychic cephalopod chose food from a box with Spain's flag, continuing his perfect prediction streak. Paul correctly predicted all seven of German...
June 7 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2010
1999
The King of Sweden inaugurated the Öresund Bridge connecting Sweden and Denmark
This engineering marvel combines a bridge, an artificial island, and a tunnel to create an 8-kilometer link across the Öresund strait. Cars drive on a...
1981
Israeli fighter jets destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in a surprise attack
Operation Opera involved eight F-16s flying 1,600 kilometers to bomb the reactor under construction near Baghdad. The pilots completed the mission in...
1975
Sony introduced the Betamax videocassette recorder, launching the first home video format war
Despite being technically superior to VHS in many ways, Betamax would ultimately lose the format war due to shorter recording times and aggressive VHS...
1965
The Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut law banning contraceptives in Griswold v. Connecticut
This landmark decision established the constitutional right to privacy, reasoning that "specific guarantees in the Bill of Rights have penumbras" that...
1958
Prince performed in concert for the first time as "Prince Rogers"
Wait, this is incorrect - Prince was born on June 7, 1958, not performed. The musical genius was born Prince Rogers Nelson in Minneapolis. He would go...
1942
The Battle of Midway ended with a decisive American victory over Japan
MajorThis four-day naval battle proved to be the turning point of the Pacific War. Japan lost four aircraft carriers and many of its best pilots, while the...
1929
The sovereign state of Vatican City was created through the Lateran Treaty
MajorAfter 59 years of dispute between the papacy and the Italian government, the world's smallest independent nation was officially established. At just 4...
1917
Dean Martin, the legendary crooner and Rat Pack member, was born
Born Dino Paul Crocetti in Ohio, he would become one of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century. His laid-back persona and chemistry with Je...
1893
Mahatma Gandhi committed his first act of civil disobedience in South Africa
The young lawyer refused to leave a first-class train compartment despite having a valid ticket, simply because of his race. He was thrown off the tra...
1776
Richard Henry Lee proposed the resolution for American independence to the Continental Congress
MajorThe Virginia delegate introduced the motion that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." This resolution l...
1692
A massive earthquake destroyed Port Royal, Jamaica, killing approximately 2,000 people instantly
Known as the "wickedest city on Earth" for its pirates and debauchery, two-thirds of Port Royal sank into the Caribbean Sea during the earthquake. Man...
1654
Louis XIV was crowned King of France at the age of 15
MajorThe Sun King began his official reign in Reims Cathedral, though he had technically been king since age 4. His 72-year reign would become the longest...