Today in History: Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on June 6 throughout history:

1. 1844 – YMCA founded in London

Sir George Williams established the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in London on June 6, 1844, aiming to provide urban youth with shelter, fellowship, and fitness opportunities.

2. 1889 – Great Seattle Fire

A devastating fire ignited in a Seattle woodworking shop on June 6, 1889, sweeping through approximately 100 acres and destroying much of the city’s business district and waterfront.

3. 1912 – Novarupta volcano eruption

The Novarupta volcano in Alaska began a three-day eruption on June 6, 1912, marking the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century and the most powerful in North American history.

4. 1918 – Battle of Belleau Wood begins

During World War I, the U.S. Marine Corps engaged in the Battle of Belleau Wood in France, suffering significant casualties while attempting to halt the German advance toward Paris.

5. 1933 – First drive-in movie theater opens

The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey, on June 6, 1933, offering a new way for Americans to enjoy films from the comfort of their automobiles.

6. 1944 – D-Day: Allied invasion of Normandy

On June 6, 1944, approximately 160,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the start of Operation Overlord and a significant turning point in World War II.

7. 1946 – National Basketball Association (NBA) founded

The Basketball Association of America, which would later become the NBA, was founded on June 6, 1946, laying the groundwork for the premier men’s professional basketball league in the United States and Canada.

8. 1966 – Civil rights activist James Meredith shot

James Meredith was shot and wounded by a sniper in Mississippi on June 6, 1966, during his solo “March Against Fear,” aimed at encouraging African American voter registration.

9. 1982 – Israel invades Lebanon

Israeli forces launched an invasion of southern Lebanon on June 6, 1982, initiating the 1982 Lebanon War, which aimed to expel the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from the region.

10. 1984 – Tetris video game released

Russian computer engineer Alexey Pajitnov released the puzzle video game Tetris on June 6, 1984, which would go on to become one of the most successful and influential video games in history.