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Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Day is a national holiday in Iran and marks the cleric's death on June 3, 1989. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was an influential Shiite Muslim cleric and political leader who was pivotal in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, transforming Iran into an Islamic republic. Born on September 24, 1902, in Khomeyn, Iran, Khomeini embarked on his religious education from an early age, rising through the clerical ranks to become a leading figure in the Shiite community. As an Ayatollah, a high-ranking title in Shiite Islam, Khomeini became a critic of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi's regime, particularly his modernizing efforts in the 1960s, which Khomeini saw as a deviation from Islamic principles. This opposition led to his exile in 1964, first to Turkey, then Iraq, and finally to France. During his exile, Khomeini propagated his vision of an Islamic state led by a supreme religious leader, or "Velayat-e-Faqih," via sermons and writings. His influence grew, and his resistance messages against Pahlavi's regime became increasingly popular, gaining him a vast following among Iranians disillusioned with Pahlavi's authoritarian rule. In 1979, the growing discontent culminated in the Iranian Revolution. As the Pahlavi's regime crumbled, Khomeini returned to Iran amidst public euphoria, effectively taking control of the government. He oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, establishing the Islamic Republic of Iran. Theocratic and unapologetically anti-Western, this new state embodied Khomeini's vision, with him as the Supreme Leader. Khomeini's leadership embraced a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, widespread political repression, and conflict with the West, most notably the hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. However, his policies also included land redistribution, expansion of social services, and women's education. Internationally, Khomeini's leadership and the Iranian Revolution inspired Islamic revivalist movements and anti-imperialistic sentiments in the Middle East. Despite international isolation, Khomeini remained defiant and emphasized self-sufficiency. He continued as Iran's Supreme Leader until his death on June 3, 1989. Despite his controversial legacy, Khomeini's influence on Iran and the wider Islamic world is undeniable. His blend of political and religious leadership remains the defining characteristic of Iran's political system. His life and leadership marked a seismic shift in the region's politics, religion, and relations with the West.

Africa

Jun

Bike Day, World: June 3

06:20 AM | -

World Bicycle Day celebrates the two-wheeled wonder, the bicycle, and its contribution to health, transportation, freedom, and the environment. Where did bicycles come from? The history of the bicycle can be traced back to the early 19th century, with several key innovations and milestones shaping its development over the years. Here's a brief overview of the bicycle's evolution: The Walking Machine (1817): Invented by German Baron Karl von Drais, the "laufmaschine" or "draisine" was the first human-powered two-wheeled vehicle. It had no pedals, momentum by the rider pushing his feet against the ground. The Velocipede (1860s): Known as the "boneshaker" due to its rough ride, the Velocipede was an early version of the bicycle with pedals attached directly to the front wheel. Frenchman Pierre Michaux and his son Ernest are credited with this invention. The High-Wheel Bicycle (1870s): Also called the "penny-farthing" or "ordinary bicycle," the high-wheel bicycle featured a large front wheel and a small rear wheel. The design allowed for increased speed, but it was difficult to mount and prone to accidents. The Safety Bicycle (1880s): John Kemp Starley, an English inventor, introduced the safety bicycle in 1885 with his "Rover" model. This design featured two equal-sized wheels, a chain-driven rear wheel, and a diamond-shaped frame. Riding was much safer and more comfortable than the high-wheel bicycle, which led to its widespread popularity. Pneumatic Tires (1888): John Boyd Dunlop, a Scottish inventor, developed the first practical pneumatic tire, which used air-filled rubber tubes to provide a smoother ride. This innovation significantly improved the comfort and efficiency of bicycles. Derailleurs (1900s): The derailleur, a mechanism for changing gears, was introduced in the early 20th century. It allowed cyclists to switch between different-sized sprockets on the rear wheel, enabling them to tackle varying terrain more easily. Mountain Bikes (1970s): Mountain biking emerged as a popular sport in the 1970s, with pioneers like Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze modifying bicycles for off-road use. The first mass-produced mountain bike, the Specialized Stumpjumper, was introduced in 1981. BMX Bikes (1970s): Bicycle motocross, or BMX, originated in the United States in the 1970s. These small, sturdy bikes were designed to race on dirt tracks and perform stunts. The sport gained popularity and eventually became an Olympic event in 2008. Carbon Fiber Frames (1980s): In the 1980s, manufacturers began using carbon fiber to create lighter, more robust bicycle frames. This material allowed for more efficient energy transfer and improved aerodynamics, making bicycles faster and more responsive. Electric Bikes (1990s): The first electric bicycles, or e-bikes, appeared in the 1990s, using battery-powered electric motors to assist with pedaling. E-bikes have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a more accessible and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bicycles and other forms of transportation. Bicycles continue to evolve and diversify, with various styles and technologies available to suit diverse needs and preferences. From casual riders to professional racers, bikes remain a popular and enduring mode of transportation and recreation worldwide. World Bicycle Day began in 2018. Header image: Workers' bicycles at the Taj Mahal complex in Agra, India. Photo LD Lewis

Africa

Jun

Chimborazo Day (EC): June 3

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Chimborazo Day commemorates the non-active volcano representing the closest point on Earth to the Moon and the farthest point from the Earth's center. Though Mount Everest is the highest peak, in relation to the sea level, Chimborazo protrudes into space 1.5 miles further than Everest due to its location at the equator. The Earth bulges in the middle (equator), making this Ecuadorian mountain higher than the tallest mountain on Earth if seen from the Moon. Edward Whymper of England was the first to reach Chimborazo's summit on January 4, 1880. Chimborazo is a UNESCO world heritage site in the Sangay National Park of Ecuador.

Africa

Jun

Chocolate Macaroon Day, Ntl.: June 3

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Chocolate Macaroon Day celebrates macaroons (macarons). This sweet appeared on the world stage in 791 AD at a convent in Commercy, France. Macaroons are cookies made of egg whites, sugar, and almond paste. It includes no leavening agent or flour. It is a favorite treat and part of the Jewish tradition of Passover. Coconut, the ingredient most often associated with macaroons, was added to the recipe in the 1890s. The French introduced the idea of drenching macaroons in chocolate syrup around the turn of the last century, creating the highly coveted and delightfully sweet chocolate macaroons we celebrate today.

Africa

Jun

Confederate Memorial Day (US-TN, KY, LA)(1808): June 3*

06:20 AM | -

Confederate Memorial Day occurs in several former states of the Confederacy on different days of the year. In some cases, like Georgia, it is no longer referred to as Confederate Memorial Day but rather as a state holiday. It is an official state holiday that honors the men who died fighting for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, 1861-1865. The dates are as follows: Alabama, Georgia: fourth Monday in April Mississippi: Last Monday in April Florida: April 26 Tennessee, Kentucky, and Louisiana: June 3, Jefferson Davis's birthday, 1808 North and South Carolina: May 10, Anniversary of the death of General "Stonewall" Jackson in 1863 Texas: January 19, Birthday of Robert E. Lee 1807 Due to the 400-year legacy of slavery (ending in 1865) and state-supported racial segregation (ending in 1964), this event is highly contentious and seen as a celebration of racism by many critics. Detractors insist this plays into existing racism and celebrates white supremacy and slavery. Proponents of the observance insist that the Confederacy played a part in shaping who we are, its ramifications, and its contributions continue today. To deny a portion of our past, good and bad, is selective censorship. On the contrary, use this event to explore the unspoken but oft-felt prejudices and perceived reality that political correctness squelches. Whether you side with the detractors or the proponents, the best way to acknowledge this month is to read the Constitution of the United States and learn history, not social studies. A great place to start is with Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States, which some states, including Arizona, have tried to ban from their schools. Why? Because it is a history of the American people, not the leaders, and looks at the nation from the perspective of the 99%, the immigrants, migrant workers, women, religious minorities, slaves, and the common man.

Africa

Jun

James Beard Awards: June 10

06:20 AM | -

The James Beard Awards recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards are among the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing leaders in the culinary and food media industries. The Awards Committee oversees each awards program (Books, Broadcast Media, Journalism, Leadership, and Restaurant and Chef). Subcommittee members volunteer their time to manage the policies, procedures, and selection of judges for their respective programs.

All James Beard Award winners receive a certificate and a medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia.

Africa

Jun

Leave the Office Early Day, Ntl.: June 3

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National Leave the Office Early Day began with Laura Stack. This event is an incentive for those employees who work more than 40 hours a week and can accomplish their tasks ahead of time. Leave the Office Early Day was created to improve worker productivity, promote efficiency, and reduce idleness at work.

Africa

Jun

Mabo Day (AU)(1992): June 3

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Mabo Day marks the anniversary of the June 3, 1992 court ruling in Australia that affirmed native peoples held title to their land, regardless of how they chose to use it. This legal battle dates back to the 1780s and was finally spearheaded by Eddie Koiki Mabo, who sadly died five months before the ruling was announced. The Aboriginal Heritage Society explains it thus: Terra nullius (land belonging to no one) is the legal concept that Indigenous peoples did not own Australia and the Torres Strait Islands because they did not 'use' the land in ways Europeans believed constituted some legal possession, thus giving 'legitimacy' to the British colonial and Australian governments to allow the dispossession of all Indigenous peoples of their land. Whether an Aboriginal group lost its land to colonial settlement and invasion in 1788, 1880, or 1970, the argument was that they never owned it, never had an internationally recognizable legal entitlement to it, and therefore could be considered trespassers on Crown land and would not be able to claim any compensation for its loss. Koiki Mabo and his legal team fought hard to demonstrate that he and his people had traditional land ownership systems on Mer. The case went to the High Court. Unfortunately, Eddie Mabo died five months before the historic decision came on June 3, 1992, that 'native title' did exist, and it was up to the people of Mer to determine who owned the land. In 2002, Eddie's wife, Bonita Mabo, called for a national public holiday. Eddie and Bonita’s son, Eddie Mabo Jr. She said: "We believe that a public holiday would be fitting to honor and recognize the contribution to the High Court decision of not only my father and his co-plaintiffs, James Rice, Father Dave Passi, Sam Passi, and Celuia Salee, but also to acknowledge all Indigenous Australians who have empowered and inspired each other."

Africa

Jun

Repeat Day: June 3

06:20 AM | -

Repeat Day is a silly holiday that encourages you to do whatever activity you want to do repeatedly. It is perfectly acceptable to keep repeating actions on this day; go for it. Repeat Day is an unofficial event with no sponsor.

Africa

Jun

Western Australia Day (AU-WA): June 3

06:20 AM | -

Western Australia Day is a public holiday in the province of Western Australia, and it marks the 1829 formation of the Swan River Colony by European settlers.

Africa

Jun

Tiananmen Square Massacre (CN)(1989): June 3-4

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The Tiananmen Square Massacre, also known as the June 4th Incident, was a significant event in the history of modern China. It took place in 1989, at a time of considerable political and economic reform and social unrest. Under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, China was transitioning from Maoist policies towards a more open economy. This period of change led to a rise in expectations and awareness among the population, particularly the students and intellectuals who started to demand more political freedom, democratic reforms, and an end to corruption. In April 1989, thousands of students initially gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing to mourn Hu Yaobang's death, a liberal reformist purged from the Communist Party. The gathering quickly became a significant pro-democracy movement, with protestors demanding greater political transparency, freedom of speech, and other democratic rights. The Chinese government declared martial law, and on June 3-4, 1989, the Chinese military was deployed to disperse the protestors. The troops forcefully cleared the square using rifles and tanks, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The Chinese government's official death toll was 200, but estimates from other sources vary from several hundred to potentially several thousand. The event had profound impacts on Chinese society. It led to a clampdown on political dissent and temporarily halted the economic reforms. Internationally, the Chinese government faced widespread condemnation, leading to sanctions from several countries. The Tiananmen Square Massacre is a heavily censored topic in today's China. The Chinese government strictly controls information about the event. Public discussions, commemorations, or criticisms of the incident are generally prohibited. Many younger Chinese citizens do not know of the event due to the government's efforts to erase it from the public consciousness and history books. However, the memory of the event survives among some groups and individuals who privately acknowledge and commemorate the incident. Abroad, Chinese dissidents and human rights organizations keep the memory alive by marking the anniversary and calling for a re-evaluation of the event. The Chinese government's handling of the Tiananmen Square Massacre remains contentious in its relations with Western democracies. It is often wielded as an example of the Chinese Communist Party's intolerance towards dissent and its control over information. The Chinese government maintains that its actions at Tiananmen Square were necessary for maintaining social stability and the continued economic progress of the country.

Africa

Jun

24 Hours of Le Mans (FR): June 12-16

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The 24 Hours of Le Mans in France is part of the Triple Crown of Motorsports, which includes the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix.

Le Mans is the longest-running (first held in 1923) active sports car race in the category of endurance racing and is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world.

Africa

Jun

Child Victims of Aggression, World Day of (1982): June 4

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World Day of Child Victims of Aggression brings to light children's suffering, particularly those who are victims of war and abuse. It is a United Nations (UN) affirmation to safeguard children's rights in peace and war. Many organizations, celebrities, and VIPs work together to affect positive action toward improving child welfare. This UN awareness campaign began on August 19, 1982, when the General Assembly observed the immense number of Palestinian and Lebanese children who had become victims of Israel's latest war on its northern neighbor. The event that shocked the world was the massacres of the Sabra neighborhood and the Shatila refugee camp in Beirut. SABRA & SHATILA In concert with Phalanges Christian Lebanese militias, Israeli forces supervised and assisted in two and a half days of horror that led to the slaughter of over 3,000 people during what was supposed to be a cease-fire. The massacre is considered a war crime. Afterward, June 4 became a reminder and applied to children globally as the World Day of Child Victims of Aggression. June 4, 1982, is the anniversary of the first bombing in this war by Israel of Lebanon. It occurred two days before the official declaration and is considered the commencement of the siege of Beirut. During its first ten days, June 4-14, 1982, the International Red Cross reported 9,583 people killed and another 16,608 injured, 80 percent of whom were civilians. The war ran from June 6, 1982, through June 1985. Header Image: During a blackout, a brother and sister study by candlelight in the Occupied Gaza Strip. Blackouts are near-daily as the Israeli government rations electricity to a few hours only. Photo by Mohammed Omer

Africa

Jun

Cognac Day: June 4

06:20 AM | -

National Cognac Day celebrates cognac, one of the most sought-after forms of hard liquor. It is a status symbol in China and the United States, the world's two largest consumers. Cognac is a brandy named after the town of Cognac, France, and was first distilled in the 17th century. For a brandy to be called a Cognac, the white wines are distilled in copper pot stills twice and then aged in French Limousin or Troncais oak barrels for a minimum of two years. The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) champions National Cognac Day.

Africa

Jun

Emancipation Day (TO)(1970): June 4

06:20 AM | -

The 150 Polynesian islands comprising Tonga were granted independence from the British Empire on June 4, 1970. Emancipation Day is the national holiday marking this anniversary.

Africa