On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
June 30
Events on This Day
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1857
156 years agoEnglish novelist Charles Dickens visits St. Martin's Hall in London to present the first public reading of A Christmas Carol.
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1936
77 years agoMargaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind is published. Fifty thousand copies fly off shelves on this day.
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1950
63 years agoPresident Harry S. Truman orders armed forces to help defend South Korea from North Korean armies, marking the official entry of the United States into the Korean War.
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1974
39 years agoMikhail Baryshnikov, then 26 years old, defects from the Soviet Union after a Kirov Ballet performance in Toronto.
June 30
Born on This Day
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Michael Phelps
- In these groups:
- Famous Lookalikes
- Olympic Swimmers
- Olympic 2012 Athletes
Michael Phelps
Professional Swimmer / 1985 -
Swimmer Michael Phelps has set the record for winning the most medals, 22, of any Olympic athlete in history.
Born: June 30, 1985
Age: 27 years old
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Occupation: Professional Swimmer -
Lena Horne
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Apollo Legends
- Blacklisted
Lena Horne
Civil Rights Activist, Actress, Dancer, Pin-up, Singer / 1917 - 2010
Actress and singer Lena Horne was one of the most popular performers of her time, known for films such as The Wiz and her trademark song, "Stormy Weather."
1917 | 92 years old
Civil Rights Activist, Actress, ... -
Buddy Rich
- In these groups:
- Famous Libras
- Famous Drummers
- Famous People Born in 1917
Buddy Rich
Drummer / 1917 - 1987
Buddy Rich played drums in swing bands with Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey, and was known for his drumming speed.1917 | 69 years old
Drummer -
Hilary Swank
- In these groups:
- Rags to Riches
- Best Actress Oscar Winners
- Real Life Leading Ladies
Hilary Swank
Animal Rights Activist, Film Actress, Television Actress / 1974 -
Hilary Swank is an American actress who has won Academy Awards for her starring roles in the films Million Dollar Baby and Boys Don't Cry.
Born: June 30, 1974
Age: 38 years old
Birthplace: Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Occupation: Animal Rights Activist, Film Actress, ... -
Mike Tyson
- In these groups:
- Celebrity Bookings
- Gap-Toothed Grinners
- Vegans
Mike Tyson
Boxer / 1966 -
Mike Tyson is a former heavyweight boxing champion who's served jail time and also appeared in several films.
1966 | 46 years old
Boxer -
Susan Hayward
- In these groups:
- Name Changers
- Best Actress Oscar Winners
- Famous Cancerians
Susan Hayward
Film Actress, Pin-up / 1917 - 1975
Film actress Susan Hayward earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress for her role in Smash-Up, and later won for her performance in I Want to Live.
1917 | 57 years old
Film Actress, Pin-up
June 30
Died on This Day
-
Buddy Hackett
- In these groups:
- Celebrity Enlistees
- Famous Military Veterans
- Name Changers
Buddy Hackett
Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian / 1924 - 2003
Comedian Buddy Hackett co-starred with Carol Burnett on the NBC sitcom Stanley. His film career included an acclaimed role in 1962’s The Music Man.Died: June 30, 2003
Age: 78 years old
Place: Malibu, California , United States
Occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian -
Lillian Hellman
- In these groups:
- Blacklisted
- Beatty's Babes
- Famous Geminis
Lillian Hellman
Editor, Playwright, Screenwriter / 1905 - 1984
Lillian Hellman was a playwright and screenwriter whose dramas attacked injustice, exploitation and selfishness.
1984 | 79 years old
Editor, Playwright, Screenwriter -
Chet Atkins
- In these groups:
- Nashville Sound
- Country Legends
- Country Music Pioneers
Chet Atkins
Business Leader, Bassist, Guitarist, Music Producer / 1924 - 2001
Chet Atkins was an influential American country-and-western guitarist and record company executive who is often credited with developing the Nashville Sound.
2001 | 77 years old
Business Leader, Bassist, Guitarist, ...
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Play Nowprofile name: Michael Phelps profile occupation: Professional Swimmer
profile id: 9344086
profile name: Lena Horne profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist, Actress, ...
profile id: 9457049
profile name: Buddy Rich profile occupation: Drummer
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profile name: Hilary Swank profile occupation: Animal Rights Activist, Film Actress, ...
profile id: 9512980
profile name: Mike Tyson profile occupation: Boxer
profile id: 9542633
profile name: Susan Hayward profile occupation: Film Actress, Pin-up
profile id: 22236
profile name: Buddy Hackett profile occupation: Film Actor, Television Actor, Comedian
profile id: 38276
profile name: Lillian Hellman profile occupation: Editor, Playwright, Screenwriter
profile id: 9191579
profile name: Chet Atkins profile occupation: Business Leader, Bassist, Guitarist, ...
profile id: 9274087
profile name: Charles Dickens profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9410340
profile name: Margaret Mitchell profile occupation: Author
profile id: 9511121
profile name: Harry S. Truman profile occupation: U.S. President
profile id: 9201142
profile name: Mikhail Baryshnikov profile occupation: Ballet Dancer
profile id: 9368803
profile name: Sandy Koufax profile occupation: Baseball Player
profile id: 9542583
profile name: Tonya Harding profile occupation: Ice Skater
profile id: 9246063
profile name: Dick Cheney profile occupation: U.S. Vice President
profile id: 37157
profile name: Willie Dixon profile occupation: Bassist
profile id: 38017
profile name: André Kertész profile occupation: Photographer
profile id: 442558
profile name: Elizabeth Edwards profile occupation: Lawyer
profile id: 37481
profile name: Tokyo Rose profile occupation: Radio Personality
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