Today in History graphic for July 6 featuring the first Republican Party convention, the first MLB All-Star Game, Anne Frank, and Pokémon Go.

July 6 in History: The Republican Party Holds Its First Convention, the First MLB All-Star Game, and Pokémon Go Launches

Scott Winters July 6, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on July 6 in history, featuring memorable milestones in transportation, technology, entertainment, sports, government, and American life.

What Happened on July 6 in History?

Important events on this day include the first Republican Party convention in Jackson, Michigan, Louis Pasteur’s successful rabies vaccine test, the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Anne Frank’s family going into hiding, Forrest Gump arriving in theaters, and the release of Pokémon Go.

JULY 6 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1785 – The dollar was unanimously chosen as the monetary unit for the United States.

1854 – In Jackson, MI, the Republican Party held its first convention.

1858 – Lyman Blake patented the shoe manufacturing machine.

1885 – Louis Pasteur successfully tested his anti-rabies vaccine on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog. The child used in the test later became the director of the Pasteur Institute.

1898 – Mackinac Island Village Council members banned “horseless carriages” on the island. They were afraid the sputtering motor cars would scare their horses.

1905 – Fingerprints were exchanged for the first time between officials in Europe and the U.S. The person in question was John Walker.

1919 – A British dirigible landed in New York, NY, at Roosevelt Field. It completed the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by an airship.

1928 – The very first full-length all-talking movie, “Lights of New York”, was released by Warner Bros.

1932 – The postage rate for first class mail in the U.S. went from 2-cents to 3-cents.

1933 – The first All-Star baseball game was held in Chicago, IL, at Comiskey Park. The American League beat the National League 4-2.

1942 – Diarist Anne Frank and her family took refuge from the Nazis in Amsterdam.

1945 – President Harry Truman signed an order creating the Medal of Freedom.

1948 – Frieda Hennok became the first woman to serve as the commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission.

1953 – The game show “Name That Tune” premiered on CBS. It started as a radio program in 1952 on NBC radio.

1955 – America’s first seat belt law was signed in Illinois.

1957 – Althea Gibson won the Wimbledon women’s singles tennis title. She was the first black athlete to win the event.

1957 – As teenagers, John Lennon and Paul McCartney met for the first time, three years before forming The Beatles.

1974 – The song “Rock the Boat”, by the Hues Corporation, became the first disco song to top the Hot 100 chart.

1976 – Women were admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy for the first time.

1981 – The Dupont Company announced an agreement to purchase Conoco, Inc. (Continental Oil Co.) for $7 billion. At the time it was the largest merger in corporate history.

1983 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that retirement plans could not pay women smaller monthly payments solely because of their gender.

1986 – Davis Phinney became the first American cyclist to win a road stage of the Tour de France.

1988 – Several popular beaches were closed in New York, NY, due to medical waste and other debris washing up on the shores.

1994 – The movie “Forrest Gump”, starring Tom Hanks, debuted in theaters.

1997 – The Mars Pathfinder released Sojourner, a robot rover on the surface of Mars. The spacecraft landed on the red planet on July 4th.

2000 – A jury awarded former NHL player Tony Twist $24 million for the unauthorized use of his name in the comic book “Spawn” and the HBO cartoon series. Co-defendant HBO settled with Twist out of court for an undisclosed amount.

2014 – An EF-1 tornado touched ground in Wyoming and Kentwood, MI at about 10:20 pm. The storm caused $5 million in damages.

2016 – The augmented reality game “Pokémon Go” was released.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JULY 6:

Gene Chandler – 89 years old (1937) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Burt Ward – 81 years old (1945) – Actor

George W. Bush – 80 years old (1946) – Businessman and politician, 43rd President of the United States

Fred Dryer – 80 years old (1946) – Football player and actor

Sylvester Stallone – 80 years old (1946) – Actor, director, and screenwriter

Brad Park – 78 years old (1948) – Canadian-American ice hockey player and coach

Michael Shrieve – 77 years old (1949) – Composer, drummer, and percussionist

John Byrne – 76 years old (1950) – English-American author and illustrator

Rick Sternbach – 75 years old (1951) – Illustrator and concept designer

Phil Mallow – 69 years old (1957) – Politician

Peter Hedges – 64 years old (1962) – Author, screenwriter, and director

Inspectah Deck – 56 years old (1970) – Rapper and producer

50 Cent – 51 years old (1975) – Rapper and actor

Ioana Dumitriu – 50 years old (1976) – Romanian-American mathematician and academic

Adam Busch – 48 years old (1978) – Actor, director, and producer

Tamera Mowry – 48 years old (1978) – Actress and producer

Tia Mowry – 48 years old (1978) – Actress and producer

Kevin Hart – 47 years old (1979) – Comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter

Joell Ortiz – 46 years old (1980) – Rapper

Nnamdi Asomugha – 45 years old (1981) – Football player

Brandon Jacobs – 44 years old (1982) – Football player

David Karp – 40 years old (1986) – Businessman, founded Tumblr

Sophie Auster – 39 years old (1987) – Singer-songwriter and actress

Manteo Mitchell – 39 years old (1987) – Runner

Jae Crowder – 36 years old (1990) – Basketball player

Manny Machado – 34 years old (1992) – Dominican-American baseball player

Andrew Benintendi – 32 years old (1994) – Baseball player

Ludwig Ahgren – 31 years old (1995) – YouTuber and live streamer

Comethazine – 28 years old (1998) – Rapper

Zion Williamson – 26 years old (2000) – Basketball player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JULY 6:

International Kissing Day: Whether it’s a peck on the cheek for a good friend or a big, romantic smooch for your significant other, shower your loved ones in kisses on Kissing Day.
National Fried Chicken Day: Make your own, or gather your friends and family around a big bucket of your favorite fried chicken and indulge in the greasy, meaty, tasty goodness.
Virtually Hug a Virtual Assistant Day: Virtual assistants keep the world running behind the scenes, so make sure to send your virtual assistant some appreciation in the form of a virtual hug.
National Air Traffic Control Day: National Air Traffic Control Day celebrates the unsung heroes who ensure our air travel is safe and efficient. These skilled professionals juggle thousands of flights daily, coordinating everything from takeoff to landing. Their efforts keep the skies safe, making them vital to both public safety and our economy. Today, we...
National Hand Roll Day: Fresh, hand-rolled sushi, a delightful blend of flavors and textures — perfect for casual dining or special occasions.
Take Your Webmaster to Lunch Day: Give your webmaster a proper thank-you for all their hard work creating the streamlined, good-looking, effective website by taking them out to lunch.
Tynwald Day: Tynwald Day is the Isle of Man’s national day when its parliament gathers in public at St John’s on Tynwald Hill. The name refers to the Manx legislature itself, a gathering that meets outdoors once each year beneath clear skies. Members of both branches walk in procession, led by the Sword‑bearer...
World Rural Development Day: Farms feed the world, but the people behind them often go unseen. World Rural Development Day brings their daily challenges into focus. It highlights the workers who grow food, raise animals, and keep rural life moving. These communities face long walks to clinics, limited job options, and unreliable roads. Still, their...
World Zoonoses Day: World Zoonoses Day marks an occasion to learn about zoonoses—diseases that animals can pass on to humans. These infections come in many forms, like viruses, bacteria, or parasites. They spread through bites, food, insects, or close contact with animals. This day speaks to everyone. It reminds us how close our...
Umbrella Cover Day: Take some time to consider the stories of mundane objects, such as the little slip of fabric that goes over your closed umbrella, AKA an umbrella cover.
Virgin Islands Day: Virgin Islands Day is when the funky beats of calypso melodies fill the air. It's also a day when the spicy bouquet of Caribbean cuisine tempts the taste buds. And the spirit of joy is as clear as the turquoise waters surrounding the British Virgin Islands. This annual extravaganza seamlessly...
Jan Hus Day: Jan Hus Day is a significant occasion in the Czech Republic. It honors a courageous man who stood firm in his beliefs, even in the face of great danger. Hus, a key figure in the Christian Reformation, challenged corruption in the church and fought for justice. His actions inspired future reformers...
Great British Pea Week: Try your hand at growing your own peas, or see what tasty recipes you can make with this versatile veggie, from pea soup to bacon and pea gnocchi and more.
Wildland Firefighter Week Of Remembrance: Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance honors those who lost their lives while battling wildfires. These firefighters walked straight into danger, knowing what was at stake. Their job wasn’t quiet or easy. They faced smoke, heat, and fast-changing flames. It’s hard to think about what they saw or felt in those...
National Transplant Week: National Transplant Week highlights the vital role organ donation plays in saving lives. It's a time to consider the impact of giving and receiving transplants. The week aims to raise awareness and encourage more people to consider becoming donors. It's a reminder of the life-changing potential within us all. Celebrating this...
Sweetness Week: Sweetness Week is an annual celebration that brings a special kind of joy to Argentina. During this time, people exchange kisses and sweet treats, turning it into a playful and romantic affair. How to Celebrate Sweetness Week Sweetness Week is a playful chance to spread joy and sugar. Here are some...