Today in History

The Chinese government begins its crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Hundreds are killed and thousands are arrested.

Charles Colson, an aide to President Richard Nixon, pleads guilty to obstruction of justice.

74 American sailors die when the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans was cut in two by an Australian aircraft carrier in the South China Sea.

Astronaut Edward White becomes the first American to walk in space when he exits the Gemini 4 space capsule.

A rebellion by North Korean prisoners in the Koje prison camp in South Korea is put down by American troops.

Japanese carrier-based planes strafe Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands as a diversion of the attack on Midway Island.

The German Luftwaffe hits Paris with 1,100 bombs.

The German Third Reich votes to confiscate so-called “degenerate art.”

Larry McMurtry, novelist (The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment).

Manchurian warlord Zhang Zuolin dies as a result of a bomb blast set off by the Japanese.

Allen Ginsberg, American poet (Howl).

In Italy, dictator Benito Mussolini grants women the right to vote.

Alain Resnais, French film director.

The Finnish Parliament ratifies a treaty with Germany.

Josephine Baker, dancer and singer.