On this day
On this day: Construction Started on Fort Hamilton
On June 11, 1825, the cornerstone was laid for Fort Hamilton in New York City. Although a site of military significance since 1776, the War of 1812 spurred the construction of defensive forts along the coast. Today it is the…
On this day: The First Boat Race
On June 10, 1829, the first Boat Race took place at Henley-on-Thames, when Cambridge confidently challenged Oxford to a race, only to be soundly beaten. It took a number of years for the race became a permanent fixture on the…
On this day: Cartier Discovered the St Lawrence
On June 9, 1534, Jacques Cartier became the first European to see the St Lawrence River, where he spent some time exploring before returning to France. Although many people consider this as the start of Canadian history, it is actually…
On this day: The first train on Chicago’s ‘L’
On June 6, 1892, the first section of Chicago's iconic 'L' (elevated) transit system opened. The Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad had been constructed along an alley stretching 5.8km (3.6miles) from Van Buren St to 37th St. Thirty…
On this day: The Teton Dam Collapsed
June 5, 1976, was a bleak day for engineering history with the collapse of the Teton Dam. This brand new structure was built over 3 years at a cost of at least $100million, with construction pushing on despite concerns about…
On this day: Ten Cent Beer Night Riot
On June 4, 1974, the Cleveland Indians attempted to boost attendance for their baseball game at Cleveland Stadium by selling beer for only 10¢, an 85% discount. Surprisingly, the plan backfired, as the crowd - able to purchase six beers…
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