Historical Events
1698 – The Darien scheme begins with five ships, bearing about 1,200 people, departing Leith for the Isthmus of Panama
1934 – 116°F (47°C), Orogrande, New Mexico (state record, broken on June 27, 1994)
1998 – Violence erupts in Richmond, South Africa, reflecting underlying political tensions between supporters of the ANC and Inkatha Freedom Party
2008 – “The Dark Knight” directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, premieres in New York
2015 – Harper Lee’s 2nd novel “Go Set A Watchman”, an early 1957 version of “To Kill A Mocking Bird” goes on sale in 70 countries
2018 – US President Donald Trump calls the EU a “trade foe” in interview with CBS ahead of meeting with Russian President Putin
Famous Birthdays
1878 – Donald Meek, Scottish-American actor (You Can’t Take It with You, Stagecoach), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 1946)
1918 – Arthur Laurents, American playwright (West Side Story, Gypsy), born in NYC, New York
1923 – Frances Lear, American Woman’s magazine publisher (Lears), born in Larchmont, New York (1995)
1957 – Peter Webb, NZ cricketer (batsman against West Indies 1980)
1966 – Matthew Fox, American actor (Party of 5, Lost), born in Abington, Pennsylvania
1985 – Lee Kwang-soo, South Korean actor (Inseparable Bros ), born in Namyangju, South Korea
Famous Deaths
1223 – King Philip II of France (1180-1223) dies at 57
1774 – James O’Hara, 2nd Baron Tyrawley and Kilmaine, British field marshal (b. 1682)
1790 – Ernst Gideon Freiherr von Laudon, Austrian field marshal, dies at 73
1827 – Augustin-Jean Fresnel, French physicist (optics), dies at 39
1943 – Johannes “Frits” Bakker Sr, Dutch actor, dies at 74
2000 – William Roscoe Estep, American Baptist historian (b. 1920)