What Happened on June 7?

June 7 is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day — a summer sweet treat — on the same date The Wizard of Oz reached readers in 1900, the Battle of Midway ended in 1942, and music legend Prince was born in 1958.

• 1893 — Mohandas Gandhi refuses to leave a whites-only train car

  On June 7, 1893, young lawyer Mohandas Gandhi was thrown off a train in South Africa for refusing to move — sparking his lifelong fight for justice. Read the full story →

• 1900 — The Wonderful Wizard of Oz reaches bookstores across America

  By June 7, 1900, L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz was selling fast — introducing Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the yellow brick road to readers nationwide. Read the full story →

• 1929 — The Lateran Treaty creates Vatican City as an independent state

  On June 7, 1929, Italy and the Holy See signed the Lateran Treaty — making Vatican City the world's smallest independent country. Read the full story →

• 1942 — The Battle of Midway ends with a decisive U.S. victory

  On June 7, 1942, the Battle of Midway concluded — four Japanese carriers sunk, turning the Pacific War toward Allied advantage. Read the full story →

• 1967 — Israeli forces capture Jerusalem's Old City on the third day of the Six-Day War

  On June 7, 1967, Israeli paratroopers reached the Western Wall in Jerusalem — a emotional turning point in the Six-Day War. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Prince (1958–2016) · Liam Neeson (1952) · Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) · Dean Martin (1917–1995)

Days & observances

National Chocolate Ice Cream Day · National VCR Day · National Donut Day (June observance) · World Food Safety Day