June 15: Today in History

Today in history, June 15, many events occurred that many of us may not know or remember. Either way, San Angelo LIVE! will enlighten.

#1 Sealing of the Magna Carta

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In 1215, King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta or “Great Charter.”  King John was known as the worst king in history. He was viewed as an unmoral ruler who did not honor his duties. Consumed with greed, King John enforced heavy taxes on his barons to pay for his expensive foreign wars.  

As the barons grew tired of being over taxed, they demanded that King John obey the law. Of course, he refused. So in turn, the barons captured London and King John was forced to negotiate, thus creating the agreement of the Magna Carta.

When signing the document, it limited King John’s power and stated that no man could be punished except by the lawful action of his peers. The Magna Carta helped initiate the cornerstone of democracy and constitutional law.

The format of the Magna Carta would later become a trial by jury that the United States court system uses today.

#2 U.S.-Canadian Border is Established

In 1846, the border separating the U.S. and Canada was established. For quite some time, there was a disagreement between the U.S. and Canada between who had control over the Oregon territory.

Due to the controversy, the Oregon Treaty was drawn up and later signed in 1846. The Oregon Treaty extended the boundary along the 49^th parallel. The 49^th parallel contains land from the Rocky Mountains to the Strait of Georgia. With this treaty, the U.S. gained control over Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

To make it apparent where the border lies, there is a 20-foot wide space along the border stretching 5,500 miles. The 20-foot space is the “No Touching Zone” between the two countries.

#3 U.S. Planes Bomb North Vietnam

Operation Rolling Thunder was launched in March of 1965 and later executed June 15, 1965. “President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered a sustained bombing campaign of North Vietnam” said History.com.

The operation was intended to prohibit southern North Vietnamese transportation routes and slow infiltration of personnel and supplies into South Vietnam. It also helped boost the morale of South Vietnam and additionally forced Hanoi to stop its support of the rebellion within South Vietnam.

From the time between 1965 to 1968, about 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam. President Johnson eventually stopped the operation on October 31, 1968 due to domestic political pressure.

#4 The Lion King

Last but not least, the release of the classic Disney movie The Lion King was today. In 1994 The Lion King made its mark and was a spotlight movie for its generation.

The Lion King features the adventure of a young lion named Simba, the heir to his father Mufasa. Simba’s uncle Scar is consumed by jealousy of Simba and father. Scar kills Mufasa, making Simba think that it was his fault. After running away from the Pride, Simba meets two companions, Timon the mercat and Pumbaa the warthog. Years later, Simba returns to take back his pride and overthrow his uncle.

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Lion King received a 91 percent. Along with the good rating from Rotten Tomatoes, the Lion King ranked number one in Top 1994 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office, Top 1994 Movies at the International Box Office, and Top 1994 Movies at the Domestic Box Office.