Discover what happened on June 25 in history, featuring major moments in American history, technology, entertainment, sports, and several fascinating connections to Michigan history.
What Happened on June 25 in History?
Important events on this day include Custer’s Last Stand at Little Bighorn, Microsoft becoming an incorporated company, the release of Windows 98, and the sudden death of Michael Jackson.
JUNE 25 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1788 – Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the 10th state of the United States.
1864 – Union troops surrounding Petersburg, VA, began building a mine tunnel underneath the Confederate lines.
1867 – Lucien B. Smith patented the first barbed wire.
1868 – The U.S. Congress enacted legislation granting an eight-hour day to workers employed by the Federal government.
1868 – Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina were readmitted to the Union.
1876 – Lt. Col. Custer and the 210 men of U.S. 7th Cavalry were killed by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians at Little Big Horn in Montana. The event is known as “Custer’s Last Stand.”
1876 – In Philadelphia, PA, Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone for Sir William Thomson and Emperor Pedro II of Brazil at the Centennial Exhibition.
1910 – The U.S. Congress authorized the use of postal savings stamps.
1923 – Capt. Lowell H. Smith and Lt. John P. Richter performed the first ever aerial refueling in a DH-4B biplane.
1947 – “The Diary of a Young Girl” (better known as “The Diary of Anne Frank”) was published.
1949 – The movie “Long-Haired Hare”, starring Bugs Bunny, was released in theaters.
1951 – In New York, the first regular commercial color TV transmissions were presented on CBS using the FCC-approved CBS Color System. The public did not own color TV’s at the time.
1956 – The game of Tee Ball was invented in Albion, MI. Jerry Sacharski had the idea to use a batting tee to help youngsters play the game of baseball.
1958 – The official dedication ceremonies for the new Mackinac Bridge kicked off with the first “Governor’s Walk” across the bridge. The first walk was led by Governor Soapy Williams.
1962 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the use of unofficial non-denominational prayer in public schools was unconstitutional.
1966– The gothic horror television series “Dark Shadows” made its debut as a daytime drama on ABC.
1968 – Bobby Bonds, of the San Francisco Giants, hit a grand-slam home run in his first game with the Giants. He was the first player to debut with a grand-slam.
1970 – The U.S. Federal Communications Commission handed down a ruling, making it illegal for radio stations to put telephone calls on the air without the permission of the person being called.
1973 – White House Counsel John Dean admitted that President Richard Nixon took part in the Watergate cover-up.
1978 – The rainbow flag representing gay pride was flown for the first time in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade.
1981 – The U.S. Supreme Court decided that male-only draft registration was constitutional.
1981 – Microsoft was restructured to become an incorporated business in its home state of Washington.
1982 – The movie “Blade Runner” debuted in theaters.
1984 – Prince released his most successful studio album “Purple Rain”.
1985 – ABC’s “Monday Night Football” began with a new line-up. The trio was Frank Gifford, Joe Namath and O.J. Simpson.
1985 – New York Yankees officials enacted the rule that mandated that the team’s bat boys were to wear protective helmets during all games.
1986 – The Congress approved $100 million in aid to the Contras fighting in Nicaragua.
1988 – Baseball great Cal Ripken Jr. played in his 1,000th consecutive game.
1990 – The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of an individual, whose wishes are clearly made, to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment. “The right to die” decision was made in the Curzan vs. Missouri case.
1992 – Billy Joel got his high school diploma. He had overslept and missed English and Gym finals 25 years before.
1993 – The movie “Sleepless in Seattle”, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, was released in theaters.
1995 – The band Pearl Jam canceled their tour because of an ongoing feud with Ticketmaster.
1997 – The Russian space station Mir was hit by the unmanned cargo vessel Progress. Much of the power supply was knocked out and the station’s Spektr module was severely damaged.
1997 – U.S. air pollution standards were significantly tightened by President Bill Clinton.
1997 – The National Hockey League approved expansion franchises for Nashville (1998), Atlanta (1999), Columbus (2000), and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (2000).
1998 – The Supreme Court ruled that the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 was unconstitutional.
1998 – The Supreme Court ruled that those infected with HIV are protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act.
1998 – Microsoft’s “Windows 98” was released to the public.
2000 – “Cats” closed after 18 years on Broadway.
2000 – U.S. and British researchers announced that they had completed a rough draft of a map of the genetic makeup of human beings. The project was 10 years old at the time of the announcement.
2000 – A Florida judge approved a class-action lawsuit to be filed against America Online (AOL) on behalf of hourly subscribers who were forced to view “pop-up” advertisements.
2003 – The Recording Industry Association of America disclosed its plans to fight Internet piracy. The plan was to sue hundreds of individual computer users who illegally share music files online. The process began the next day.
2009 – Michael Jackson, 50, who was preparing for a long series of concert dates in London, died in his bed at home in Holmby Hills, CA, the result of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol administered by his physician to help him sleep. The death was ruled a homicide and Dr. Conrad Murray was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
2009 – Actress Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer at the age of 62. The onetime star of TV’s “Charlie’s Angels” also appeared in the films “The Apostle” and “Myra Breckenridge”.
2014 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police cannot examine the digital contents of a cell phone without a court order.
2020 – Appeals court ruled that Michigan gyms must remain closed during COVID-19, just hours before they were to re-open.
2021 – Former police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 years and six months for the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 25:
Judy Howe – 91 years old (1935) – Artistic gymnast
Eddie Floyd – 89 years old (1937) – R&B/soul singer-songwriter
Allen Fox – 87 years old (1939) – Tennis player and coach
Mary Beth Peil – 86 years old (1940) – Actress and singer
Carly Simon – 83 years old (1943) – Singer-songwriter
Jimmie Walker – 79 years old (1947) – Actor
David Paich – 72 years old (1954) – Singer-songwriter, keyboard player, and producer
Sonia Sotomayor – 72 years old (1954) – Lawyer and jurist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
William Basinski – 68 years old (1958) – Musician and composer
John McCrea – 62 years old (1964) – Singer-songwriter and musician
Kevin Kelley – 57 years old (1969) – Football coach
Angela Kinsey – 55 years old (1971) – Actress
Michael Tucker – 55 years old (1971) – Baseball player
Linda Cardellini – 51 years old (1975) – Actress
Michele Merkin – 51 years old (1975) – Model and television host
Neil Walker – 50 years old (1976) – Swimmer
Busy Philipps – 47 years old (1979) – Actress
Pietro Fittipaldi – 30 years old (1996) – Brazilian-American race car driver
Benson Boone – 24 years old (2002) – Singer-songwriter
Kylie Cantrall – 21 years old (2005) – Actress, singer, songwriter, dancer, and social media personality
Mckenna Grace – 20 years old (2006) – Actress, singer and songwriter
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 25:
- National Handshake Day: From business deals to sportsmanship, a good handshake conveys confidence, warmth and professionalism, making a lasting first impression!
- Color TV Day: Host a TV or movie watching marathon and work your way through different eras to see how color TV has developed, improved and changed over time.
- Global Beatles Day: Put on your favorite Beatles record and honor the British global phenomenon that changed the face of music forever, and continues to influence musicians everywhere.
- National Catfish Day: Cook up some catfish at home, visit a catfish festival, or find a local restaurant serving this tasty fish to make the most of National Catfish Day.
- International Day of the Seafarer: Honor the vital role seafarers play in global trade. Discover their challenges, rights, and safety, and explore meaningful ways to thank and support them.
- National Strawberry Parfait Day: The perfect summer treat: a base of cut up vanilla pound cake, followed by layers of yogurt or custard and strawberries, built up until the glass is full.
- Goat Cheese Day: See what goats cheeses are local to your area, and give them a try. Find a recipe, or simply taste-test a few to see what you like best and diversify your food.
- National Bomb Pop Day: The refreshing, sweet, red, white and blue popsicle known as the Bomb Pop will bring you straight back to childhood days cooling down from the summer heat.
- World Vitiligo Day: Raising awareness, promoting acceptance, and supporting those affected by vitiligo through education, advocacy, and community.
- National Leon Day: Discover the meaning of National Leon Day, the halfway-to-Christmas celebration that inspires early decorating, crafting, gifting, and charitable giving.
- Rabbit Week: Rabbit Week is an engaging event that raises awareness of rabbit well-being and encourages everyone to understand the unique needs of these beloved pets. Celebrating Rabbit Week raises awareness about proper rabbit care, emphasizing that rabbits are more than cute, furry animals. They require specific environments, diets, and medical care...
- Bourdain Day: Bourdain Day celebrates a chef, storyteller, and traveler who taught us to dig deeper than flavor. The day honors Anthony Bourdain, born June 25th, and it highlights the way he used food to bring people together across cultures. Friends and fellow chefs Eric Ripert and José Andrés created this tribute not just to mark...
- National Camp Counts Day: National Camp Counts Day celebrates the role of summer camps in young lives. It honors how camps shape self‑worth, leadership, and real connections. Camp offers time away from screens and routines. It brings kids together with caring adults. This helps them learn teamwork, kindness, and responsibility. Camp moments often stick with...
- Croatia Independence Day: Discover the meaning of Croatia Independence Day, honoring the nation’s struggle for sovereignty, cultural pride, and the celebrations that mark its hard-won freedom.
- National Play Catch Week: Connecting through a simple toss, a timeless game fosters bonds, laughter, and shared moments of pure joy.
- Insect Week: Insect Week is an exciting celebration dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. This week-long event features a variety of engaging activities and events designed to highlight the importance of insects in our lives. From art and photography competitions to educational workshops and bug hunts, there’s something for everyone to...
- National Craft Spirits Week: National Craft Spirits Week is a lively celebration of small-batch distillers across the country. Walk into a distillery during National Craft Spirits Week, and the air feels different. There’s the scent of oak, spice, and citrus. Bottles line the walls, each with its own label and story. This week isn’t about...
- National Lightning Safety Awareness Week: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, celebrated in June, sparks crucial conversations about a powerful natural phenomenon. This week is vital because lightning strikes can be deadly, causing significant injuries and fatalities each year. Despite its potential dangers, lightning often doesn't receive the attention it deserves compared to other weather-related threats. How to...
- English Wine Week: English Wine Week is a vibrant celebration of the burgeoning English wine industry. It's an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the diversity and quality of wines produced across the country. Vineyards open their doors, offering a range of activities like tours, tastings, and special events. This week is not...
- International Phace Syndrome Awareness Week: PHACE Syndrome Awareness Week brings attention to a rare condition that often starts with a bright red birthmark on a child’s face. This mark can signal deeper medical problems involving the brain, heart, eyes, or arteries. Parents usually notice the birthmark first, but doctors soon find more going on. That moment...
- Windjammer Days: Windjammer Days is a lively celebration where elegant tall ships sail into Boothbay Harbor’s calm waters. The day bursts with energy as colorful vessels glide in and gather off Cabbage Island. Crowds line the shore, cheering and snapping photos as sails unfurl and boats drift under bright skies. That harbor...
- National Roller Coaster Week: National Roller Coaster Week highlights the thrill of sharp turns, steep drops, and fast rides. Parks stay packed as people chase that quick burst of fear and fun. Some come for their first ride, others for their hundredth. Either way, they’re there for the same reason—to feel something real for...
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