On this Day in History: August 6

NASA’s Curiosity rover successfully landed on Mars on August 6. This milestone in space exploration aimed to investigate the Red Planet’s climate and geology, and assess whether Mars ever had the environmental conditions to support microbial life.

In 1990, the UN Security Council imposes sanctions on Iraq
The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 661, imposing economic sanctions on Iraq in response to its invasion of Kuwait. These sanctions aimed to pressure Iraq to withdraw its forces from Kuwait.

In 1965, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. This landmark legislation outlawed discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans in the United States.

In 1962, Jamaica gains independence

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica officially gained independence from the United Kingdom. This marked the end of British colonial rule and the beginning of Jamaica as a sovereign nation.

In 1945, an atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima

The United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion resulted in unprecedented destruction and loss of life, and played a significant role in the ending of World War II.

In 1940, Estonia becomes a Soviet State

Estonia lost its independence and was formally incorporated into the Soviet Union following its occupation by Soviet forces. This annexation was part of the broader Soviet expansion during World War II.

In 1926, the first woman crosses the English Channel

Gertrude Ederle, a 19 year old from New York became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Her successful swim broke the existing men’s record by two hours and was a major achievement in women’s sports.

In 1890, the first person is executed by electric chair
William Kemmler became the first person to be executed by electric chair in Auburn Prison, New York. This execution marked the beginning of the electric chair as a method of capital punishment in the United States.

In 1825, Bolivia declares its independence from Spain

Bolivia declared its independence from Spanish rule. Named after the revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar, Bolivia’s independence was part of the larger wave of Latin American independence movements.

In 1806, the Holy Roman Empire comes to an end

The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved on August 6th following the abdication of Emperor Francis II. This marked the end of the centuries-old empire and was a significant event in European history.