A closer look at key historic events that took place on June 10:
In 1977, James Earl Ray escapes prison
James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., escaped from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee. Ray, along with six other inmates, managed to break out of the maximum-security facility by climbing over the prison’s fence. The escape triggered a massive manhunt, and he was recaptured three days later, just 8 miles from the prison.
In 1967, the Six-Day War ends
Israel and its Arab neighbors—Egypt, Jordan, and Syria—agreed to a United Nations-brokered ceasefire. The conflict resulted in a decisive Israeli victory, with Israel capturing the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The war significantly altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, leading to ongoing disputes and shaping future Arab-Israeli relations.
In 1940, Italy enters World War II
Italy declared war on France and the United Kingdom on June 10. This decision, made by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, aligned Italy with Nazi Germany and the Axis powers. The entry into the war marked Italy’s expansionist ambitions but ultimately led to significant military challenges and contributed to the eventual downfall of Mussolini’s regime.
In 1935, Alcoholics Anonymous is founded
The organization was started by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio, who sought to create a support system for individuals struggling with alcoholism. AA introduced the Twelve-Step program, which has become a widely adopted framework for recovery from addiction.
Bridget Bishop was the first person executed during the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. This event marked the beginning of a dark chapter in American history, resulting in the execution of 19 people and the imprisonment of many others.