June 11 - The Day in History

June 11 : General Interest 1979: John Wayne dies On this day in 1979, John Wayne, an iconic American film actor famous for starring in countless westerns, dies at age 72 after battling cancer for more than a decade... read more American Revolution 1776 : Congress appoints Committee of Five to draft the Declaration of Independence http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/congress-appoints-committee-of-five-to-draft-the-declaration-of-independence Automotive 1986 : "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" released; features 1961 Ferrari http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ferris-buellers-day-off-released-features-1961-ferrari Civil War 1864 : Yankees seek to destroy rail line at Trevilian Station http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-at-trevilian-station Cold War 1989 : China issues warrant for Tiananmen dissident http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/china-issues-warrant-for-tiananmen-dissident Crime 1943 : Mobster Henry Hill, inspiration for "Goodfellas," is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mobster-henry-hill-inspiration-for-goodfellas-is-born Disaster 1955 : Tragedy at Le Mans http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tragedy-at-le-mans General Interest 1509 : Henry VIII marries first wife http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/henry-viii-marries-first-wife 1880 : Jeannette Rankin born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jeannette-rankin-born 1944 : D-Day landing forces converge http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/d-day-landing-forces-converge 1963 : University of Alabama desegregated http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/university-of-alabama-desegregated 1967 : Six-Day War ends http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/six-day-war-ends Hollywood 1982 : E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial released http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/et-the-extra-terrestrial-released Literary 1925 : William Styron is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/william-styron-is-born Music 1949 : Hank Williams, Sr., makes his Grand Ole Opry debut http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hank-williams-sr-makes-his-grand-ole-opry-debut Old West 1788 : Russian explorer Izmailov arrives at Yakutat Bay, Alaska http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russian-explorer-izmailov-arrives-at-yakutat-bay-alaska Presidential 1963 : JFK faces down defiant governor http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jfk-faces-down-defiant-governor Sports 1950 : Ben Hogan wins U.S. Open with courageous comeback http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/ben-hogan-wins-us-open-with-courageous-comeback Vietnam War 1963 : Buddhist immolates himself in protest http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/buddhist-immolates-himself-in-protest 1970 : Battle for control of Kompong Speu in Cambodia http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-for-control-of-kompong-speu-in-cambodia World War I 1918 : Allies launch counterattack against Germans in France http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-launch-counterattack-against-germans-in-france World War II 1940 : Britain strikes back at Italy http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/britain-strikes-back-at-italy 1943 : Operation Corkscrew is launched by Britain http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/operation-corkscrew-is-launched-by-britain

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