June 11 - This 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