History Today

Today in History — June 22

1941

22 June 1941: Operation Barbarossa Launches Nazi Invasion of Soviet Union

On June 22, 1941, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the largest military invasion in human history. More than three million German troops, supported by thousands of tanks, aircraft, and artillery pieces, poured across the Soviet…

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More from the Archive

2004

21 June 2004: SpaceShipOne Makes First Private Spaceflight

On June 21, 2004, SpaceShipOne became the first privately funded spacecraft to reach space, ushering in a new era of commercial space exploration. Piloted by Mike Melvill, the rocket plane soared to an altitude of…

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1837

20 June 1837: Queen Victoria Ascends to British Throne

On June 20, 1837, eighteen-year-old Princess Victoria ascended to the British throne following the death of her uncle, King William IV. Her coronation would mark the beginning of an era that would bear her name,…

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