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PAGE 52 www.OverTheHumpSaver.com June 2026

100 YEARS AGO: HISTORICAL

EVENTS FROM JUNE 1926

T he month of June
has been home
to many historical
events over the
years. Here’s a look
at some that helped
to shape the world in June 1926.

Underwater construction of the
Holland Tunnel is halted on June 1. traveled 600 feet. That distance has Pittsburgh Pirates, in what would be
The work stalls due to the sinking never been confirmed. the only major league appearance of
of the PS Washington Irving while his career.
the ship was being towed to Jersey Brazil announces its withdrawal from
City, New Jersey. The ship initially the League of Nations on June 14.
experienced trouble after it was Costa Rica had previously withdrawn Tens of thousands of spectators at
struck by another ship in the North in 1924. Chicago’s Soldier Field on June 21
River during a fog. watch a performance by the world’s
largest children’s choir, composed of
Italian Fascist leader Aurelio
Norma Jeane Mortenson is born in 60,000 children from more than 300
Los Angeles on June 1. Mortenson Padovani, who had fallen out of favor Roman Catholic parochial schools
would grow up and gain worldwide with Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, across the city.
recognition and fame as an actress is killed when a fourth floor balcony
and model using the stage name at his home collapses on June 16. The Scholastic Aptitude Test, now
“Marilyn Monroe.” Padovani had stepped outside to known as the SAT, is administered to
greet admirers on the street below college and university applicants for
A spectator at San Francisco’s when the balcony collapsed, killing the first time on June 23. More than
Ewing Field accidentally drops a lit him and eight others. 8,000 students at more than 300
cigarette on June 5. The cigarette testing centers sit for the exam.
sparks a fire that burns down the The Seventh Street Bridge opens in
wooden structure and soon spreads Pittsburgh on June 17. The bridge is The “Sanjuanada,” a plot to
to adjacent buildings, ultimately renamed to honor Pittsburgh native overthrow the Prime Minister and
destroying or damaging 40 buildings and acclaimed artist Andy Warhol in dictator of Spain, is foiled on June 23,
and houses. 2005.
one day before it was to take place.
The Forrest River massacre of On June 19, DeFord Bailey becomes
indigenous Australians begins on the first African American to be listed Amateur golfer Bobby Jones wins
June 6. The massacre is started in newspaper radio schedules as a the British Open on June 25. Jones’s
by policemen who were carrying performer on “WSM Barn Dance,” victory marks the first time a non-
out a punitive expedition against which is later renamed “The Grand professional had won the event.
indigenous Australians after the Ole Opry.”
killing of a white Australian. Melvin James Kaminsky is born in
New York Giants catcher Jimmy Boyle the Brownsville section of Brooklyn
Babe Ruth hits a homerun that makes his major league debut on on June 28. Kaminsky grows up to
sportswriters at the June 8 game June 20. Boyle plays just one inning, become a beloved comedian, using
at Navin Field in Detroit estimate the ninth inning of an 8-0 loss to the the stage name “Mel Brooks.”