This article delves into significant historical events that occurred on June 28th, tracing their impact across various eras.
From critical battles that influenced empires to key advancements in technology and significant social justice milestones, each event marks a turning point in its time.
These events not only shaped the course of history but also continue to resonate in today’s society, offering insights into the ongoing influence of the past on the present.
June 28th – On this Day in History
1098 – Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul
During the First Crusade, the Christian Crusaders engaged in a significant battle against Muslim forces led by Kerbogha of Mosul. This battle, known as the Siege of Antioch, was pivotal as the Crusaders had recently managed to capture Antioch and were now defending it against a massive counterattack by Kerbogha.
Despite being outnumbered and suffering from starvation and disease, the Crusader forces utilized clever military tactics and purported divine intervention, which they claimed was the discovery of the Holy Lance within the city. This bolstered their morale, leading to an unexpected victory over Kerbogha’s troops, who were forced to retreat.
1519 – Charles V is elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
On this day in 1519, Charles V was elected as the Holy Roman Emperor, a pivotal moment in European history. His election was significant due to the vast extent of his dominion; he ruled over an empire that included Spain, its colonies in the Americas, parts of Italy, and territories in Germany and Central Europe.
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Charles V’s reign was marked by religious turmoil, especially due to the Protestant Reformation, and numerous conflicts with France and the Ottoman Empire. His election as emperor at a young age (he was only 19) set the stage for a reign that would attempt to maintain the integrity and power of the Holy Roman Empire during a period of significant religious and political change.
1635 – Guadeloupe becomes a French colony
In 1635, Guadeloupe was claimed for France by Charles Liénard de l’Olive and Jean du Plessis d’Ossonville. They landed on the island and established French control, marking the start of its colonial history.
The colonization led to the development of sugar cane plantations, worked by African slaves, and Guadeloupe became a crucial part of the French colonial empire in the Caribbean.
The impact of French colonization can still be seen today, as Guadeloupe remains an overseas region of France, reflecting a blend of French and Caribbean cultures with a complex history of colonialism and slavery.
1776 – The Battle of Sullivan’s Island ends with a decisive American victory over British forces, leading to the preservation of Charleston, South Carolina
The Battle of Sullivan’s Island was a decisive engagement fought on June 28, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War. It took place near Charleston, South Carolina, and was a significant early victory for the American forces.
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Under the command of Colonel William Moultrie, the American forces defended a partially completed fort on Sullivan’s Island against a major British assault.
The fort, constructed of palmetto logs, absorbed the British cannon fire, preventing significant damage. The British fleet, unable to breach the fortifications, eventually withdrew. The battle demonstrated the viability of the American war effort and boosted the morale of the Continental forces.
1778 – The Battle of Monmouth is fought between the American Continental Army under George Washington and the British Army led by Sir Henry Clinton
The Battle of Monmouth occurred on June 28, 1778, in New Jersey and was one of the largest battles of the American Revolutionary War. It was notable for its intense heat and the high number of heatstroke casualties.
The American Continental Army, commanded by General George Washington, confronted the British forces led by Sir Henry Clinton as they were withdrawing from Philadelphia to New York.
The battle was tactically inconclusive, but it proved to be strategically significant for the Americans. It showcased the improved training and discipline of the American troops under the tutelage of Baron von Steuben, and it marked the last major battle in the North.
The event is also famously associated with Molly Pitcher, a woman who purportedly took her husband’s place at a cannon after he was overcome by heat.
1838 – The coronation of Queen Victoria takes place
Queen Victoria was crowned on June 28, 1838, at Westminster Abbey, after ascending the throne on June 20th, 1837, following the death of her uncle, King William IV. Victoria was only 18 years old at the time of her coronation. Her reign, known as the Victorian Era, would last until 1901, making it one of the longest in British history.
This period was marked by industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military changes within the United Kingdom, and was also associated with the British Empire’s expansion to become the foremost global power of the time. Victoria’s coronation was a grand affair that reflected the prosperity and growing power of Britain during this era.
1846 – Adolphe Sax patents the saxophone
On June 28, 1846, Adolphe Sax, a Belgian instrument maker, patented the saxophone, a family of woodwind instruments he invented in the early 1840s. Sax designed these instruments to fill the tonal gap between the brass and woodwind sections of military bands, offering a blend of powerful sound and wide range expressive capabilities.
The instrument’s unique voice quickly led to its adoption in military and, later, orchestral music. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the saxophone became widely popular in jazz and other genres, becoming a key instrument in many musical styles.
1859 – The first dog show is held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
The first modern dog show was held on June 28, 1859, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. Organized by John Smithurst, the event was originally intended to be a show primarily for sporting and hunting dogs, such as pointers and setters.
The popularity of the show demonstrated the Victorian era’s growing interest in breeding and showing dogs, and it paved the way for further dog shows across the United Kingdom and eventually around the world. These events were not only about showcasing the beauty and skills of various dog breeds but also played a significant role in the development of breed standards.
1880 – The Australian bushranger, Ned Kelly, is captured at Glenrowan
Ned Kelly, one of Australia’s most famous bushrangers, was captured on June 28, 1880, at Glenrowan, Victoria. Kelly, born to Irish immigrants, was seen by some as a cold-blooded killer, while others viewed him as a folk hero and symbol of Irish-Australian resistance against the British colonial authorities.
His gang was involved in several armed robberies and murders, and their final confrontation with the police occurred at Glenrowan where Kelly, wearing homemade metal armor and helmet, was captured after a fierce shootout. His capture, trial, and subsequent execution on November 11, 1880, have been immortalized in countless books, films, and songs, contributing to the enduring myth of Ned Kelly.
1914 – Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, are assassinated in Sarajevo; this event is often cited as the spark that ignited World War I
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, occurred on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo. The archduke, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist associated with the group Young Bosnia and supported by the Black Hand, a Serbian secret society.
This assassination is often cited as the immediate cause of World War I, as it set off a rapid chain of events, leading Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia, thereby drawing the major European powers into a conflict that expanded into the First World War. This event profoundly reshaped the political landscape of Europe and had lasting impacts on global geopolitics.
1919 – The Treaty of Versailles is signed, ending the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, an event that precipitated World War I. This treaty marked the official end of World War I and was one of the several peace treaties at the Paris Peace Conference.
The treaty imposed severe terms on Germany, requiring them to relinquish several territories, disarm, make substantial territorial concessions, and pay heavy reparations to the Allied countries.
These harsh penalties were controversial and criticized for fostering a spirit of resentment and economic hardship in Germany, which later contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the outbreak of World War II. The treaty’s signing at the Palace of Versailles was symbolic, as it was meant to signal the end of hostilities and the beginning of a peaceful era.
1922 – The Irish Civil War begins with the shelling of the Four Courts in Dublin by Free State forces
The Irish Civil War started on June 28, 1922, when the Provisional Government of Ireland shelled the Four Courts building in Dublin, which had been occupied by anti-treaty forces.
This marked a violent split between the Irish nationalists who supported the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which established the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Empire, and those who opposed it, seeking a completely independent republic.
The war was a result of deep divisions in Irish society that had been exacerbated by the terms of the treaty and led to significant loss of life and lasting bitterness in Irish politics. The conflict ended in 1923 with a victory for the pro-treaty forces, but it left a legacy of division that affected Irish politics for generations.
1950 – Korean War: North Korean troops reach Seoul
On June 28, 1950, just days after North Korea’s invasion of South Korea on June 25th, North Korean troops reached Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The rapid advance of the North Korean People’s Army was a significant blow to South Korean forces, which were ill-prepared for the invasion.
The fall of Seoul marked an early and critical phase of the Korean War, prompting the United Nations (led by the United States) to intervene militarily to defend South Korea. This conflict, which lasted until 1953, eventually solidified into a stalemate, leading to the establishment of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the ongoing division of the Korean peninsula into North and South Korea.
1969 – The Stonewall riots begin in New York City, marking the start of the modern gay rights movement
The Stonewall riots began in the early hours of June 28, 1969, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar located in Greenwich Village, New York City. This raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement.
The Stonewall riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world, highlighting the struggles faced by LGBT communities and mobilizing activists to fight for change. The anniversary of the riots is celebrated as Pride Month in many countries, commemorating the ongoing pursuit of equal justice and recognition for LGBT people.
1978 – The Supreme Court of the United States, in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, bars quota systems in college admissions but affirms the constitutionality of affirmative action programs
The U.S. Supreme Court delivered its decision in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke on June 28, 1978. This landmark case addressed the issue of affirmative action in the admissions policies of higher education institutions. The Court ruled that race could be one of several factors in college admission policies but struck down the use of rigid racial quotas.
The decision was significant for affirming the legality of affirmative action, aiming to improve access to higher education for historically underrepresented groups, while also setting limitations on how such policies could be implemented, specifically prohibiting racial quotas. This case has had a lasting impact on educational policy and discussions about race and equality in the U.S.
1992 – The Constitution of Estonia is signed into law
On June 28, 1992, Estonia ratified its new post-Soviet constitution through a national referendum, marking a significant step in establishing its legal foundation as an independent state. This event came shortly after Estonia regained independence from the Soviet Union in August 1991.
The new constitution established Estonia as a democratic parliamentary republic and included provisions for human rights, the rule of law, and the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This constitution also helped guide Estonia’s integration into European and transatlantic structures, including its eventual membership in the European Union and NATO.
1997 – Mike Tyson bites Evander Holyfield’s ear in a heavyweight boxing match, resulting in Tyson’s disqualification
During a highly anticipated rematch on June 28, 1997, titled “The Sound and the Fury,” Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s right ear in the third round of their heavyweight title fight, causing an immediate sensation and scandal. The incident resulted in Tyson’s disqualification from the match and subsequent suspension from boxing.
This event remains one of the most notorious moments in modern sports history, significantly impacting Tyson’s career and public image while highlighting issues of sportsmanship and conduct in professional sports.
2001 – Slobodan Milošević is extradited to the ICTY to face charges of war crimes
On June 28, 2001, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milošević was extradited to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, Netherlands.
This marked a crucial moment in the international community’s efforts to hold him accountable for his role in the wars and human rights violations during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Milošević faced charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. His trial, which began in February 2002, was a landmark in international law but remained unfinished due to his death in custody in 2006.
2004 – The Coalition Provisional Authority hands over sovereignty to the interim government of Iraq
The Coalition Provisional Authority, led by the United States, formally transferred sovereignty to the interim government of Iraq on June 28, 2004. This event took place two days earlier than initially planned, in a move to pre-empt potential insurgent attacks.
The handover was intended to mark the beginning of Iraqi self-governance after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Ghazi Mashal Ajil al-Yawer was sworn in as the new president in a low-key ceremony, signifying a significant step towards rebuilding the nation and establishing a democratically elected government.
2006 – Montenegro becomes the 192nd member of the United Nations
On June 28, 2006, Montenegro was admitted as the 192nd member of the United Nations following its declaration of independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro on June 3, 2006. The UN General Assembly’s approval of Montenegro’s membership was a formal recognition of its status as an independent sovereign nation.
Montenegro’s accession to the UN was a crucial part of its ongoing efforts to establish itself on the international stage and to foster bilateral and multilateral relations in line with its foreign policy goals, including eventual membership in the European Union and other international organizations.