70
Ancient
Titus Begins Siege of Jerusalem
Roman general Titus began the siege of Jerusalem during the First Jewish-Roman War. The siege ended with the destruction of the Second Temple, a catastrophic event in Jewish history.
On This Day in History
1723
Culture
Adam Smith Is Born
Adam Smith was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland. His 'Wealth of Nations' would become the foundational text of modern economics and free-market theory.
1849
Politics
Denmark Adopts Constitutional Monarchy
Denmark adopted its first constitution, transitioning from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. June 5 is celebrated as Constitution Day in Denmark.
1917
War & Conflict
Selective Service Act Enacted
Congress passed the Selective Service Act, authorizing the military draft for World War I. Nearly 24 million men registered, and 2.8 million were drafted.
1947
Politics
Marshall Plan Speech
Secretary of State George Marshall outlined the European Recovery Program at Harvard University. The Marshall Plan provided $13 billion in aid to rebuild Western Europe after World War II.
1967
War & Conflict
Six-Day War Begins
Israel launched preemptive strikes against Egypt, beginning the Six-Day War. In six days, Israel captured the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank, Golan Heights, and East Jerusalem.
1968
Crime
Robert F. Kennedy Assassinated
Senator Robert F. Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the California Democratic presidential primary. He died the following day at age 42.