June 10

June 10 is the 161st day of the year (162nd in a leap year) in the Gregorian calendar. The Zodiac sign for individuals born on this day is Gemini.

There are several holidays that are observed on the 10th of June each year. On June 10, 1848 in French Guiana, slavery was abolished. Since that time, this day has been observed as Abolition Day in this country each year.http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Fr_Guiana.html In the Republic of Congo, June 10th is Reconciliation Day, which is locally known as Fête de la Commémoration de la Conférence Nationale Souveraine.

On June 10, 1580, Portuguese poet, Luís Vaz de Camões passed away. He wrote, Os Lusíadas, an epic poem about the history of Portugal. After his death, this day has become known as Portugal Day. This holiday is officially only observed in Portugal, but Portuguese citizens and immigrants around the world still celebrate this holiday.http://portugalday.com/

The Roman Catholic Church honors Saint Anianus--the bishop of Chartres, Blessed Getulius, Saint Landericus--bishop of Paris, and Saint Olivia. Feast Day of Saints began as a way to honor martyrs that gave their life in order to show their love for God. Confessors were later added as Saints for their dedication and confessions of love for God during their life. Different religions have adapted their own versions of the Feast Day of Saints throughout history. The various religions also added in their own titles for the holiday. Some of the new titles included Virgin, Pastor, Bishop, Monk, Priest, Founder, Abbot, Apostle, Doctor of the Church.

2003: The Spirit Rover is launched, beginning NASA's Mars Exploration Rover mission.

1999: Kosovo War: NATO suspends its air strikes after Slobodan Milošević agrees to withdraw Serbian forces from Kosovo.

1980: The African National Congress in South Africa publishes a call to fight from their imprisoned leader Nelson Mandela.

1977: Apple ships its first Apple II personal computer.

1977: James Earl Ray, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jrs murderer, escapes from Brushy Mountain State Prison in Petros, Tennessee, but is recaptured on June 13.

1967: Vietnam War: The Battle of Dong Xoai begins.

1957: John Diefenbaker leads the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada to a stunning upset in the Canadian federal election, ending 22 years of Liberal Party rule.

1947: Saab produces their first automobile.

1940: United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt denounces Italy's actions with his "Stab in the Back" speech at the graduation ceremonies of the University of Virginia.

1935: Alcoholics Anonymous is founded in Akron, Ohio by Dr. Robert Smith and Bill Wilson, after Smith takes his final drink

1898: During the Spanish-American War, U.S. Marines land on the island of Cuba.

1886: Mount Tarawera in New Zealand erupts, killing 153 people and destroying the famous Pink and White Terraces.

Portugal Day-Portugal

Reconciliation Day-Republic of the Congo

Abolition Day-French Guiana

• 1819: Gustave Courbet - French painter
• 1922: Judy Garland - American actress
• 1951: Dan Fouts - American football player
• 1959: Eliot Spitzer - American politician
• 1963: Jeanne Tripplehorn - American actress

• 2004: Ray Charles - American musician
• 1988: Louis L'Amour - American author
• 1580: Luís de Camões - Portuguese poet
• 323 BC: Alexander the Great - Macedonian king

• 2009: Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
• 2001: Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya & Pink - Lady Marmalade
• 1990: Roxette - It Must Have Been Love
• 1984: Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time
• 1978: John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John - You're the One That I Want
• 1967: Aretha Franklin - Respecthttp://www.joshhosler.biz/numberOneInHistory/06/0610.htm

• 2008: Kung Fu Panda - Jack Black
• 2005: Mr. And Mrs. Smith - Brad Pitt
• 1994: Speed - Sandra Bullock
• 1983: Return of the Jedi - Harrison Ford
• 1977: Smokey and the Bandit - Burt Reynoldshttp://www.the-numbers.com/