A closer look at key historic events that took place on June 3:
In 2006, Montenegro declares independence
Montenegro declared independence from its union with Serbia, following a referendum in which the majority of voters chose to secede. This marked the final step in the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, formerly known as Yugoslavia. Its independence was recognized by the international community, and it became a sovereign nation.
In 1998, the Eschede train disaster takes place
The Eschede train disaster occurred in Germany when an ICE high-speed train derailed and crashed near the town of Eschede, resulting in the deaths of 101 people and injuring more than 100 others. It remains one of the deadliest high-speed rail accidents in history.
In 1989, pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square are crushed by the Chinese military
Pro-democracy protests erupted in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, with students and citizens demanding political reform and greater freedoms. The Chinese government responded by declaring martial law and deploying military forces to suppress the demonstrations, resulting in a violent crackdown that led to numerous deaths and injuries, and the arrest of thousands of protesters. The event, known as the Tiananmen Square Massacre, drew international condemnation and remains a highly sensitive and censored topic in China.
The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144, also known as the Concordski disintegrated mid-air during the 1973 Paris Air Show, killing 14 people.
In 1844, Great auks become extinct
The Great auk is a flightless seabird once abundant in the North Atlantic. It became extinct due to overhunting for its feathers, eggs, and meat. The last two specimens were killed by fishermen in Iceland.
– Don’t miss out on To Vima’s daily “On this Day in History” posts.
