Today in History
2007 Israel Conducts Operation Orchard
The Israeli Air Force conducted a military operation to destroy a suspected nuclear reactor in the Deir el-Zor region of Syria.
1999 Suai Church Massacre
After the results of an independence referendum were announced, pro-Indonesia militia killed over 200 people who had sought refuge in a church in Suai, East Timor.
1968 Swaziland Gains Independence From the British
1902, the Southern African state became a British protectorate following the Anglo-Boer War. King Sobhuza became the nation’s ruler and reigned until 1982, even after gaining independence. His son, Mswati III, succeeded him as ruler of the country.
1870 A Woman casts her Vote in the US for the first time
Louisa Ann Swain participated in Wyoming state elections. Although women were not granted the right to vote in the United States until 1920, Wyoming’s governor, John A. Campbell, signed a bill granting women the right to vote on December 13, 1869. Women could vote in local and state elections but not in national elections.
1522 Victoria Becomes the First Ship to Circumnavigate the World
The Spanish ship, led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, set sail from Spain on September 20, 1519, in search of a better route to Indonesia. The expedition began with five ships, including the Victoria, and 260 crew members. Magellan died during the voyage, and only Victoria and her 18 crew members made it back to Seville, Spain, after circumnavigating the globe.
Births On This Day, September 6
1972 Idris Elba
English/American actor
1969 CeCe Peniston
American singer-songwriter, actress
1963 Geert Wilders
Dutch politician
1945 Go Nagai
Japanese illustrator, author
1757 Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
French general
Deaths On This Day, September 6
2007 Luciano Pavarotti
Italian tenor
1998 Akira Kurosawa
Japanese director, screenwriter, producer
1990 Len Hutton
English cricketer
1966 Margaret Sanger
American activist
1919 Lord Charles Beresford
Irish Admiral, politician
