On this day: June 3
June 3, 1965: Edward White Becomes the First American to Walk in Space
On June 3, 1965, astronaut Edward H. White II made history by becoming the first American to walk in space. During the Gemini 4 mission, White stepped out of the spacecraft and floated freely in space for approximately 20 minutes, attached to the spacecraft by a tether. His spacewalk marked a significant milestone in the history of space exploration and demonstrated the feasibility of extravehicular activities in space.
June 3, 1989: Tiananmen Square Protests in Beijing, China
On June 3, 1989, the Chinese government cracked down on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. The protests, which had been ongoing for several weeks, were met with violent suppression as the Chinese military moved in to disperse the demonstrators. The events of June 3 and the following days resulted in a significant loss of life and marked a dark chapter in China’s history.
June 3, 1943: The Battle of Tarawa in World War II
On June 3, 1943, the United States Marine Corps launched an amphibious assault on the Japanese-held island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll. The Battle of Tarawa was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, with heavy casualties on both sides. The intense fighting and brutal conditions on the island made it a significant turning point in the Pacific Theater of the war.
June 3, 1984: Sikh Massacre in India
On June 3, 1984, the Indian Army launched Operation Blue Star, a military operation aimed at flushing out Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The operation resulted in a brutal massacre of Sikh civilians, as well as significant damage to the holiest shrine of Sikhism. The events of June 3, 1984, deepened the divide between the Sikh community and the Indian government and had long-lasting repercussions on the political landscape of India.
June 3, 1968: Valerie Solanas Shoots Andy Warhol
On June 3, 1968, feminist author Valerie Solanas shot and critically wounded artist Andy Warhol at his studio in New York City. The incident shocked the art world and brought attention to issues of mental illness and violence. Warhol survived the assassination attempt but suffered from physical and emotional trauma for the rest of his life.
June 3, 1924: The Indian Citizenship Act
On June 3, 1924, the United States Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States. The act marked a significant milestone in the recognition of Native American rights and paved the way for greater inclusion and equality for Indigenous peoples in the United States.
June 3, 1989: Ayatollah Khomeini’s Death
On June 3, 1989, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the Supreme Leader of Iran, passed away at the age of 86. Khomeini was a key figure in the Iranian Revolution of 1979 and played a central role in shaping the Islamic Republic of Iran. His death marked the end of an era in Iranian politics and had profound implications for the future of the country.
