Today is Wednesday, June 4, 2025, marking the 155th day of the year with 210 days remaining. This date holds historical significance, as on June 4, 1989, a tragic event unfolded in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square. Chinese troops violently suppressed a pro-democracy protest, resulting in the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of demonstrators and soldiers.
In addition, on this day in history, in 1812, the U.S. House of Representatives made a significant decision by passing its first war declaration, authorizing a declaration of war against Britain with a vote of 79-49. Fast forward to 1919, Congress took a monumental step by approving the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting American women the right to vote without discrimination based on gender. This amendment was later sent to the states for ratification.
Moving on to World War II, on June 4, 1940, the Allied military successfully evacuated over 338,000 troops from Dunkirk, France, during a critical moment in the war. The same year, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered a powerful speech to the House of Commons, vowing to fight against the enemy forces with unwavering determination.
Another significant event took place on June 4, 1942, as the Battle of Midway commenced, leading to a decisive American victory over Japan and marking a turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II. Decades later, in 1986, former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Jay Pollard pleaded guilty to conspiring to disclose national defense information to Israel, ultimately receiving a life sentence.
In a more controversial development, on June 4, 1990, Dr. Jack Kevorkian assisted in his first publicly known case of euthanasia, aiding Alzheimer’s patient Janet Adkins in ending her life. This act sparked debates on the ethical implications of assisted suicide. In a separate legal case in 1998, Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison without parole for his involvement in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which claimed 168 lives.
Celebrating birthdays on this day are notable individuals such as actor Bruce Dern at 89, golf Hall of Famer Sandra Haynie at 82, singer-actor Michelle Phillips at 81, and jazz musician Paquito D’Rivera at 77. Other prominent figures include actor Keith David at 69, singer El DeBarge at 64, and actor-comedian T.J. Miller at 44.
As we reflect on the historical events and birthdays associated with June 4, let us remember the significance of these moments in shaping our past and influencing our future.
