Birthdays & Historical Events – June 4

← National Days on June 4

Birthdays & Historical Events – June 4

Historical Events on June 4

Events that occurred on June 4 throughout history

1896

Henry Ford drives his first Ford through streets of Detroit.

Henry Ford drives his first Ford through streets of Detroit. The "Quadricycle" was a 500-pound vehicle that featured a 4-horsepower engine, a boat-like tiller for steering, and a top speed of 20 miles per hour.

1917

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Selective Service Act.

The Act required men between the ages of 18 and 30 to begin registering for WWI. Over 24 million men registered. Ultimately, 2.8 million American men were drafted and served in the war, alongside 2 million volunteers.

1919

Congress approves the 19th Amendment.

Congress approves the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing 26 million American women the right to vote.

1939

MS St. Louis, carrying 963 German Jewish refugees, is denied permission to land in Florida.

The MS St. Louis, carrying 963 German Jewish refugees, is denied permission to land in Florida, forcing the ship to return to Europe. Over 300 passengers later died in a Nazi concentration camp.

1944

General Eisenhower postponed the first planned D-Day invasion.

General Eisenhower postponed the first planned D-Day invasion scheduled for June 5 due to unfavorable weather reports. Operation Overload was implement 24-hours later. However, because weather conditions were not great on June 6, Eisenhower prepared the famous "In Case of Failure" message.

1974

Beer was sold for 10 cent during Beer Night at a MLB Cleveland game.

Beer was sold for 10 cent during Beer Night at a MLB Cleveland game. The Indians forfeited the game because fans kept stumbling on the field during the game.

1982

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is released

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is released in the U.S.A., earning $97 million on the first day.

1992

USPS chooses to put Elvis Presley on a stamp.

USPS announces 1.2 million people voted to choose the artwork on their Elvis Presley stamp.

Born on June 4

People born on June 4

Nictzin Dyalhis

Science fiction author of works that include The Eternal Conflict (1925), The Red Witch (1932), and The Sea-Witch (1937).

Noah Wyle

Actor quickly recognized for his role as John Carter in the television drama ER.

Louis Reichardt

Expert mountaineer who was the first person to climb both Everest and K2.

Vince Camuto

Fashion designer who co-founded the Nine West fashion house.

Clara Blandick

Actress fondly remembered for her role as Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz.

Oliver Nelson

Jazz musician who created one of the most iconic jazz albums (The Blues and the Abstract Truth) of the 1960s.

Freddy Fender

Singer of the hits Before the Next Teardrop Falls, Wasted Days and Wasted Nights, and Secret Love.

Bruce Dern

Award-winning actor with roles in The Great Gatsby (1974), The 'Burbs (1989), and Big Love on HBO (2006–2011).