1967: Six-Day War ends
The so-called Six Day War ends on this day, as an outnumbered Israel defeats its Arab antagonists and greatly expands its borders. On June 5, 1967, Israel responded to a build-up of Arab forces along its borders by launching simultaneous attacks against
Egypt and
Syria. Jordan subsequently entered the fray, but the Arab coalition was no match for Israel's proficient armed forces. When the Six-Day War ended on June 10, Israel suddenly had control of territory three times its original size. However, the true fruits of victory came in claiming the old city of Jerusalem from
Jordan. Many wept while bent in
prayer at the Western Wall of the Second Temple. Arab leaders, forced to accept a U.N. cease-fire, met in August to discuss the future of Israel. They decided upon a policy of no peace, no negotiations, and no recognition of
Israel, and made plans to zealously defend the rights of Palestinian Arabs in the occupied territories.
1999
The withdrawal of Yugoslav troops from Kosovo prompts
NATO to suspend its air bombing campaign against
Yugoslavia. 1990
The
Civic Forum movement, founded by Vaclav Havel, wins Czechoslovakia's first free elections since 1946.
1989
After an era of 157 years, Britain's last lightship is towed away from its position north-west of the Channel Island of Guernsey.1986
Non-Britons Bob Geldof, the Irish-born singer and
charity fund raiser; and US citizen John Paul Getty II, are both made honorary knights by Queen
Elizabeth II. 1967
End of the
Six Day War in the Middle East. Israeli forces have captured hundreds of square miles of Syrian, Jordanian and Egyptian territory including East
Jerusalem, the
West Bank, the
Gaza Strip and the Sinai peninsula.
1946
A
referendum in
Italy votes for the country to become a republic. King Umberto steps down three days later.
1942
World War II:
German troops deliberately demolish the entire Czech village of
Lidice and kill all the inhabitants in reprisal for the assassination of
Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich, protector of
Bohemia and Moravia, who had been shot by Czech resistance fighters.
1940
World War II: Italy officially declares war on Britain and
France. 1909
First recorded use of the new emergency signal, SOS. The signal, which replaced CQD in 1906, was sent by Cunard liner
SS Slavonia sinking in the Azores.
1899
United States of America appoints a special Canal Commission to investigate possible routes for a waterway through the Isthmus of
Panama. 1865
In Munich, the first public performance of Wagner's opera
Tristan and
Isolde. 1864
Cricket authorities in England legalise over-arm bowling.1829
Oxford win the first University Boat Race against Cambridge.1793
In
Paris, the opening of the world's first public zoo - the Jardin des Plantes.
1692
In America, respectable citizen Bridget Bishop becomes the first of the 'Salem Witches' to be hanged - wrongly accused of
witchcraft by an hysterical group of young girls in an isolated
Puritan community in Massachusetts.
1965
British model and actress Elizabeth Hurley.1965
Canadian-born actress and model Linda Evangelista.1926
British
actor Lionel Jeffries.
1922
American film actress, dancer and singer Judy Garland - born Frances Gumm.1921
Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II is born on the
Greek island of Corfu.
1911
British playwright Terence Rattigan.1898
American actress Hattie McDaniel - the first black actress to win an Oscar for her performance in Gone With The Wind.1832
German engineer Nikolaus August Otto, inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion engine.1688
James Francis Edward
Stuart - the 'Old Pretender'. The only son of the deposed
James II of England.
2000
Former Ireland and Manchester United footballer Shay Brennan aged 63.1998
Writer Hammond Innes aged 84. Author of more than 30 adventure novels including the 'Wreak of the Mary Deare'.1967
American
actor Spencer Tracey aged 67.
1946
Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight boxing champion is killed in a car crash.1934
English composer
Frederick Delius aged 72.
1903
Murders of King
Alexander I and Queen Dragia of Serbia.
1190
Holy Roman Emperor
Frederick I Barbarossa drowns while crossing the Saleph River during the Third Crusade to capture Jerusalem.
