This Day in History: June 6

1492 Martin Behaim presents the world’s first globe

German geographer Martin Behaim created the first terrestrial globe, which he called the “Erdapfel” or “Earth Apple.” This globe is currently on display at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, Germany.

1621 Dutch West India Company (WIC) receives charter for The West Indies (The Americas, Caribbean and West Africa)

The Dutch West India Company was granted a charter by the Dutch government to conduct trade and establish colonies in the Americas, Caribbean, and West Africa.

1943 The Zoot Suit Riots begin in Los Angeles

A mob of 60 people from the Los Angeles Naval Reserve Armory attacked and beat anyone perceived to be Hispanic, sparking a week-long series of riots known as the Zoot Suit Riots.

1973 The world’s first supersonic airliner crashes

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144, nicknamed “Concordski,” disintegrated mid-air during the 1973 Paris Air Show, killing 14 people.

1979 Ixtoc I oil rig blows, causing one of the worst oil spills in history

The Mexican oil rig Ixtoc I blew out, spilling an estimated 3 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the worst oil spills in history.

1982 The Israeli ambassador to the U.K. is shot

Shlomo Argov, the Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom, was shot by a Palestinian terrorist group, triggering the 1982 Lebanon War.

1989 The Tiananmen Square Massacre begins in Beijing

Chinese troops opened fire on pro-democracy supporters in Beijing, marking the start of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

1998 The Eschede train disaster occurs in Germany

A high-speed ICE train derailed and crashed into a bridge in Eschede, Germany, killing 101 people. It remains the deadliest high-speed train disaster in history.

2013 The trial of whistleblower Chelsea Manning begins

American soldier and trans woman Chelsea Manning began trial for leaking classified videos documenting U.S. war atrocities during the Iraq War. She was ultimately sentenced to 35 years in confinement.