June 19, 1964: The Senate Passes Civil Rights Act On this day in 1964, the Senate passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2. The landmark act barred discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in public facilities — such as restaurants, theaters, or hotels. Discrimination in hiring practices was also outlawed.  The Civil Rights Act paved the way for future anti-discrimination legislation, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  To learn more about milestones in the Civil Rights Movement, visit Eyes on the Prize online.  Photo: President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. Martin Luther King, Jr. is among those looking on. (National Archives and Records Administration)
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June 19, 1964: The Senate Passes Civil Rights Act

On this day in 1964, the Senate passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2. The landmark act barred discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in public facilities — such as restaurants, theaters, or hotels. Discrimination in hiring practices was also outlawed. 

The Civil Rights Act paved the way for future anti-discrimination legislation, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

To learn more about milestones in the Civil Rights Movement, visit Eyes on the Prize online.

 Photo: President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law. Martin Luther King, Jr. is among those looking on. (National Archives and Records Administration)

June 18, 1983: Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space On this day in 1983, at the age of 32, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Her voyage came 20 years after Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. After the trip, Sally Ride received many honors for her contributions to the field of science and space exploration. In May 2012, Sally Ride became the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. On July 23, 2012, Sally Ride died at the age of 61 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.  Visit PBS NewsHour to learn more about Sally Ride. Photo: Courtesy of NASA
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June 18, 1983: Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space On this day in 1983, at the age of 32, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Her voyage came 20 years after Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. After the trip, Sally Ride received many honors for her contributions to the field of science and space exploration. In May 2012, Sally Ride became the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. On July 23, 2012, Sally Ride died at the age of 61 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.  Visit PBS NewsHour to learn more about Sally Ride. Photo: Courtesy of NASA
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June 18, 1983: Sally Ride Becomes First American Woman in Space

On this day in 1983, at the age of 32, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Her voyage came 20 years after Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. After the trip, Sally Ride received many honors for her contributions to the field of science and space exploration.

In May 2012, Sally Ride became the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.

On July 23, 2012, Sally Ride died at the age of 61 after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

 Visit PBS NewsHour to learn more about Sally Ride.

Photo: Courtesy of NASA

June 17, 1928: Amelia Earhart Takes Off on Landmark Flight On this day in 1928, Amelia Earhart began her transatlantic flight, the first by a woman. Earhart and her team left from Trepassey Harbor in Newfoundland and landed in Burry Port, Wales, nearly twenty one hours later. The landmark flight made headlines around the world. When the crew returned to the United States, they were greeted with a parade in New York and enjoyed a reception at the White House with President Calvin Coolidge. This monumental flight made “Lady Lindy” the best known female flier and one of America’s first celebrities. Three weeks before her 40th birthday, Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean and her story became legend. Flip through American Experience’s photo gallery of significant women in Flight in the 20th Century.
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June 17, 1928: Amelia Earhart Takes Off on Landmark Flight

On this day in 1928, Amelia Earhart began her transatlantic flight, the first by a woman. Earhart and her team left from Trepassey Harbor in Newfoundland and landed in Burry Port, Wales, nearly twenty one hours later. The landmark flight made headlines around the world.

When the crew returned to the United States, they were greeted with a parade in New York and enjoyed a reception at the White House with President Calvin Coolidge. This monumental flight made “Lady Lindy” the best known female flier and one of America’s first celebrities.

Three weeks before her 40th birthday, Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean and her story became legend.

Flip through American Experience’s photo gallery of significant women in Flight in the 20th Century.

Source: pbs.org

June 16, 1933: FDR Signs the National Industrial Recovery Act On this day in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act into law.  As part of the New Deal legislative program, the National Industrial Recovery Act enabled the president and the National Recovery Administration to create and execute measures for reducing industrial unemployment. The act fostered fair competition and provided for the construction of useful public works. This was one of many measures taken by President Roosevelt to help the nation’s economic recovery during the Great Depression. In 1936, The Supreme Court unanimously declared that the government had improperly delegated authority to make rules governing industries in industry commerce, making the National Industrial Recovery Act unconstitutional. Learn more about President Roosevelt’s presidency with American Experience’s FDR site.   Photo: Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, New York.
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June 16, 1933: FDR Signs the National Industrial Recovery Act

On this day in 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act into law.  As part of the New Deal legislative program, the National Industrial Recovery Act enabled the president and the National Recovery Administration to create and execute measures for reducing industrial unemployment.

The act fostered fair competition and provided for the construction of useful public works. This was one of many measures taken by President Roosevelt to help the nation’s economic recovery during the Great Depression.

In 1936, The Supreme Court unanimously declared that the government had improperly delegated authority to make rules governing industries in industry commerce, making the National Industrial Recovery Act unconstitutional.

Learn more about President Roosevelt’s presidency with American Experience’s FDR site. 

 Photo: Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, New York.

Source: pbs.org

June 15, 1775: George Washington Selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army On this day in 1775, George Washington was unanimously selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress. John Hancock had expected to be nominated but was disappointed when his fellow Massachusetts delegate, John Adams, suggested George Washington instead. Washington was selected based on his previous military experience and with the hope that a commander from Virginia could help unite the colonies. Washington would remain Commander in Chief until his resignation on December 23, 1783. Explore Rediscovering George Washington’s timeline to learn more about Washington’s early military career.   Photo: George Washington, full-length portrait, standing on bunker, facing slightly left, wearing military uniform, aide with horse in near background, view of port in distance, c1839. (Library of Congress).  Washington, appointed Commander in Chief, c1876. (Library of Congress)  
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June 15, 1775: George Washington Selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army On this day in 1775, George Washington was unanimously selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress. John Hancock had expected to be nominated but was disappointed when his fellow Massachusetts delegate, John Adams, suggested George Washington instead. Washington was selected based on his previous military experience and with the hope that a commander from Virginia could help unite the colonies. Washington would remain Commander in Chief until his resignation on December 23, 1783. Explore Rediscovering George Washington’s timeline to learn more about Washington’s early military career.   Photo: George Washington, full-length portrait, standing on bunker, facing slightly left, wearing military uniform, aide with horse in near background, view of port in distance, c1839. (Library of Congress).  Washington, appointed Commander in Chief, c1876. (Library of Congress)  
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June 15, 1775: George Washington Selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army

On this day in 1775, George Washington was unanimously selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army by the Continental Congress.

John Hancock had expected to be nominated but was disappointed when his fellow Massachusetts delegate, John Adams, suggested George Washington instead. Washington was selected based on his previous military experience and with the hope that a commander from Virginia could help unite the colonies. Washington would remain Commander in Chief until his resignation on December 23, 1783.

Explore Rediscovering George Washington’s timeline to learn more about Washington’s early military career.

 

Photo: George Washington, full-length portrait, standing on bunker, facing slightly left, wearing military uniform, aide with horse in near background, view of port in distance, c1839. (Library of Congress).  Washington, appointed Commander in Chief, c1876. (Library of Congress)

 

June 14, 1939: Ethel Waters Becomes One of the First African Americans to Star in Her Own TV Show On this day in 1939, vocalist Ethel Waters became one of the first African Americans to star in her own program on television, “The Ethel Waters Show,” a one-night variety show that aired on NBC. Learn more about Waters and other entertainers who share her pioneering spirit on PBS Black Culture Connection.  Photo Credit:  Library of Congress, William P. Gottlieb Collection   
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June 14, 1939:

Ethel Waters Becomes One of the First African Americans to Star in Her Own TV Show

On this day in 1939, vocalist Ethel Waters became one of the first African Americans to star in her own program on television, “The Ethel Waters Show,” a one-night variety show that aired on NBC.

Learn more about Waters and other entertainers who share her pioneering spirit on PBS Black Culture Connection.

 Photo Credit:  Library of Congress, William P. Gottlieb Collection 

 

June 13, 1966: Miranda Rights are Created  On this day in 1966, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966). In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, The Court ruled that all detained criminal suspects must be informed of their constitutional right to an attorney and against self-incrimination, prior to police questioning.  As a result, the Supreme Court devised statements that police are required to tell a defendant who is being detained and interrogated. Since the ruling, reciting the Miranda Rights has become standard police procedure. Learn more about Miranda v. Arizona (1966) and other landmark Supreme Court cases.   Photos: U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C. Taken by Carol M. Highsmith. (Library of Congress). U. S. Supreme Court Justices, 1953. Photograph. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, (102) , (Library of Congress)
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June 13, 1966: Miranda Rights are Created  On this day in 1966, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966). In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, The Court ruled that all detained criminal suspects must be informed of their constitutional right to an attorney and against self-incrimination, prior to police questioning.  As a result, the Supreme Court devised statements that police are required to tell a defendant who is being detained and interrogated. Since the ruling, reciting the Miranda Rights has become standard police procedure. Learn more about Miranda v. Arizona (1966) and other landmark Supreme Court cases.   Photos: U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C. Taken by Carol M. Highsmith. (Library of Congress). U. S. Supreme Court Justices, 1953. Photograph. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, (102) , (Library of Congress)
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June 13, 1966: Miranda Rights are Created

 On this day in 1966, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Miranda v. Arizona (1966). In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice Earl Warren, The Court ruled that all detained criminal suspects must be informed of their constitutional right to an attorney and against self-incrimination, prior to police questioning. 

As a result, the Supreme Court devised statements that police are required to tell a defendant who is being detained and interrogated. Since the ruling, reciting the Miranda Rights has become standard police procedure.

Learn more about Miranda v. Arizona (1966) and other landmark Supreme Court cases. 

 Photos: U.S. Supreme Court building, Washington, D.C. Taken by Carol M. Highsmith. (Library of Congress). U. S. Supreme Court Justices, 1953. Photograph. New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, (102) , (Library of Congress)

June 12, 1939:  The National Baseball Hall of Fame is Dedicated  On this day in 1939, The National Baseball Hall of Fame was opened in Cooperstown, New York. The inaugural class included Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner, and Babe Ruth.  Visit Ken Burns’s Baseball site to learn more about America’s favorite pastime.  Photo: Babe Ruth 1921, National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress)  
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June 12, 1939:  The National Baseball Hall of Fame is Dedicated

 On this day in 1939, The National Baseball Hall of Fame was opened in Cooperstown, New York. The inaugural class included Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Honus Wagner, and Babe Ruth.

 Visit Ken Burns’s Baseball site to learn more about America’s favorite pastime.

 Photo: Babe Ruth 1921, National Photo Company Collection (Library of Congress)  

June 11, 1963: President John F. Kennedy Delivers Civil Rights Address On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy urged the nation to be a “land of the free” for all citizens in a televised address supporting a comprehensive Civil Rights Bill that would become the 1964 Civil Rights Act: “It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color…”   Revisit this and other defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement with PBS Black Culture Connection.  Photo Credit: Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.
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June 11, 1963: President John F. Kennedy Delivers Civil Rights Address

On this day in 1963, President John F. Kennedy urged the nation to be a “land of the free” for all citizens in a televised address supporting a comprehensive Civil Rights Bill that would become the 1964 Civil Rights Act: “It ought to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color…” 

 Revisit this and other defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement with PBS Black Culture Connection. 

Photo Credit: Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

June 10, 1922: Judy Garland is Born On this day in 1922, singer-actress Judy Garland was born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  Garland began her career at the age of two and became the star of many classic musical films.   Judy Garland is most famous for playing Dorothy in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Garland continued to showcase her talent in both singing and acting in many films until her tragic death on June 22, 1969. Check out American Masters’ biography on Judy Garland.   Photo: Publicity photo of Judy Garland, circa 1940s (Wikimedia Commons). 
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June 10, 1922: Judy Garland is Born

On this day in 1922, singer-actress Judy Garland was born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.  Garland began her career at the age of two and became the star of many classic musical films. 

 Judy Garland is most famous for playing Dorothy in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Garland continued to showcase her talent in both singing and acting in many films until her tragic death on June 22, 1969.

Check out American Masters’ biography on Judy Garland.

 

Photo: Publicity photo of Judy Garland, circa 1940s (Wikimedia Commons). 

Source: pbs.org

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