This Day In History : June 30

1960 Congo

Congo gains independence from Belgium

Congo gained its independence from Belgium on June 30, 1960. The struggle for independence was valiant, and finally, in 1960, Belgium released its hold on the nation, allowing Congo to become an independent country.

Also on This Day in History June 30

Discover what happened on June 30 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, June 30
  • 1971 Felix Savart

    French surgeon and physicist who formulated the Biot-Savart Law

  • 1926 Paul Berg

    American biochemist known for his contributions to research in nucleic acids

  • 1919 Ed Yost

    American inventor who invented the hot air balloon

  • 1985 Michael Phelps

    American swimmer who is the most decorated Olympian of all times with a total of 28 medals

  • 1823 Dinshaw Maneckji Petit

    Parsi entrepreneur and founder of the first textile mills in India

Deaths on This Day, June 30
  • 1785 James Oglethorpe

    English General and politician who was the founder and 1st colonial Governor of Georgia

  • 1919 John William Strutt

    3rd Baron Rayleigh, English physicist and discoverer of argon (Nobel Prize 1904)

  • 1999 Clifford Charles Butler

    English physicist (hyperon and meson types of particles) and vice chancellor of Loughborough University

  • 2017 Simone Veil

    French politician (first female President of the European Parliament 1979-82)

  • 1961 Lee de Forest

    American inventor (Electron Tube)

1937

The world's first emergency telephone number (999), is introduced in London

On 30 June 1937, the world’s first emergency telephone number, 999, was introduced in London. This groundbreaking system allowed people to call for immediate assistance during emergencies.
1906

The Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act is passed by the U.S. Congress

The Meat Inspection Act was signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt on June 30, 1906. This legislation aimed to reform the meatpacking industry by ensuring that livestock were slaughtered and processed under sanitary conditions. It prohibited the sale of adulterated or misbranded livestock and derived products as food.
1864

Yosemite Grant Act

Yosemite Grant Act signed by President Abraham Lincoln bestowing 200,000 acres to the state of California, establishes America's first state-controlled park
2020

China's new national security legislation for Hong Kong comes into force

China's new national security legislation for Hong Kong came into force on June 30, 2020. This legislation marked a significant development in the ongoing political situation in Hong Kong, sparking concerns both domestically and internationally about its potential impact on the region's autonomy and freedoms.
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