June 26

Thursday 26, 2003:

The U.S. Supreme Court rules that sodomy laws are unconstitutional in Lawrence v. Texas.

Thursday 26, 1997:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the U.S.), the first book in J.K. Rowling's hugely popular Harry Potter series, is published.

Tuesday 26, 1979:

Muhammad Ali retires.

Sunday 26, 1977:

Last concert of Elvis Presley.

Thursday 26, 1975:

Indira Gandhi establishes authoritarian rule in India.

Wednesday 26, 1974:

The first retail product (a pack of chewing gum) was sold using a barcode reader.

Tuesday 26, 1973:

On Plesetsk Cosmodrome 9 persons were killed at an explosion of a Cosmos 3-M rocket.

Friday 26, 1964:

The Beatles release the album A Hard Day's Night.

Wednesday 26, 1963:

John F. Kennedy speaks the famous words "Ich bin ein Berliner" on a visit to West Berlin.

Sunday 26, 1960:

Former British Protectorate of Somaliland British Somaliland gains its independence

Friday 26, 1959:

The Saint Lawrence Seaway opens, opening North America's Great Lakes to ocean-going ships.

Saturday 26, 1948:

The Western allies start an airlift to Berlin after the Soviet Union has blockaded West Berlin.

Tuesday 26, 1945:

The United Nations Charter is signed.

Wednesday 26, 1940:

World War II: Under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union presents an ultimatum to Romania requiring it to cede Bessarabia and northern part of Bukovina.

Tuesday 26, 1934:

Initial flight of the Focke-Wulf Fw 61, the first practical helicopter.

Thursday 26, 1924:

American occupying forces leave the Dominican Republic.

Saturday 26, 1819:

The bicycle is patented.

Friday 26, 1807:

1807 - Lightning hits a warehouse in Luxembourg,killing 230 people.

Tuesday 26, 1483:

Richard III becomes king of England.

Monday 26, 1409:

Western Schism: The Catholic church is led into a double schism as Petros Philargos is crowned Pope Alexander V after the Council of Pisa, joining Pope Gregory XII in Rome and Pope Benedict XII in Avignon.

Monday 26, 1284:

According to legend, the Pied Piper lures 130 children of Hamelin away.

Thursday 26, 684:

Benedict II becomes Pope.

More on June, 26

• People Born on June, 26
• They left us on June, 26