June 26th

Roman Emperor Julian is killed during retreat from the Sassanid Empire. General Jovian is proclaimed Emperor by troops on the battlefield.

Panama Canal's third set of locks opens for commercial traffic, doubling the Canal’s capacity at an estimated cost of $5.25 billion.

Former South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond died at age 100.

The first map of the human genome, which required decoding more than 3 billion biochemical "letters" of human DNA, is completed.

The CN tower in Toronto opened, then the world's tallest free-standing structure.

President John Kennedy gave his, "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner) speech in West Berlin.

The St. Lawrence Seaway, connecting the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, was opened.

The United Nations Charter is signed. The United Nations is the world's most important international organization.

The world's first practical helicopter lifts off. The twin-rotor Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was first tested in Bremen, Germany. None of the first prototypes survived World War II but a replica can be seen at the Hubschraubermuseum in Bückeburg, Germany.

Charlie Chaplin's film “The Gold Rush” receives its premiere. The comedy featuring Chaplin in his famous Little Tramp role is a classic of the silent film genre. The English star actor repeatedly stated that this is the film he wants to be remembered for.

1st US Expeditionary Force arrives in France during World War I.

The first Grand Prix motor race was held in Le Mans, France.

1st movie theater in the US opens - Vitascope Hall in New Orleans, charging 10 cents for admission.

The first 62 recipients are awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the Crimean war by Queen Victoria.

Hong Kong was proclaimed a British crown colony.

The bicycle was patented by W. K. Clarkson.

Battle of Fleurus: major victory by forces of the First French Republic under General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan over the Coalition Army (Great Britain, Hanover, Dutch Republic, and Habsburgs) first use of reconnaissance balloon.