Argentine football (soccer) player Diego Maradona scored his memorable “Hand of God” goal (the ball struck his hand, but the referee mistakenly thought it had hit his head) to help Argentina defeat England in a World Cup quarterfinal game; Argentina went on to win the tournament. 1986.

Charon, the largest moon of Pluto, was discovered. 1978. 

Germany violated the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact of 1939 and attacked the Soviet Union during World War II. 1941. 

Meryl Streep, American actress was born on this day.

June 22, 1949 (age 75)

With an invading German force at its door in mid-June 1940, the French government under the leadership of Marshal Philippe Pétain signed an armistice with Germany, thereby creating Vichy France (the “French State”). 1940. 

The first Ferris wheel (invented by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., a Pittsburgh-based engineer) made its debut, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 1893.

John Hinckley, Jr., was ruled to be innocent by reason of insanity in the shooting of U.S. President Ronald Reagan. 1982. 

Prince William of Wales (later Prince William, duke of Cambridge) was born to Charles, prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, and Diana, princess of Wales. 1982.

The animated musical Lady and the Tramp, one of Walt Disney‘s most endearing movies, was released in U.S. theatres. 1955.

Did you know Nicole Kidman was born on this day in HAWAII? 😳 Have you heard about the TENNIS COURT OATH? 

Check out other interesting facts on this day. 

Australian actress Nicole Kidman—who was known for her considerable range and versatility, as well as for her glamorous looks and cool demeanor—was born in Hawaii. 1967 

Steven Spielberg‘s thriller Jaws was released in theaters, and it was a huge success, essentially creating the genre of summer blockbusters. 1975 

Following a trial that was a national sensation in the United States, Lizzie Borden was acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother. 1893 

Locked out of their meeting hall at Versailles, the deputies of the Third Estate in France congregated on a nearby tennis court and took an oath not to separate until a written constitution had been established—the Tennis Court Oath. 1789 

Lebron James is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. On this day in 2016, he achieved a feat that would be part of his legacy, and history. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by star LeBron James, defeated the Golden State Warriors in a thrilling game seven to claim the franchise’s first NBA title.

Rosenbergs executed for espionage

After the failure of court appeals and of a worldwide campaign for mercy, husband and wife Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were put to death this day in 1953, becoming the first American civilians to be executed for espionage. 

On this day in 1947, British-American writer Salman Rushdie was born. 

Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to travel in space, returned to Earth in the spacecraft Vostok 6.

Happy Birthday to an icon. Music legend and genius, Paul McCartney, turns 82 today. 

Have a look at other events on this day. 

War of 1812 begun

On this day U.S. President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain, initiating the War of 1812, which arose chiefly from U.S. grievances over oppressive maritime practices during the Napoleonic Wars.

The experimental submersible Titan imploded during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic; all five people on board were killed. 2023 

Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo, ending 23 years of recurrent warfare between France and the other powers of Europe. 1815 

Joan of Arc led the French army against the English at Patay, France. 1429