TUESDAY, June 17, 2025

1579-English navigator Francis Drake lands on the coast of California at Drakes Bay, names it "New Albion"

1631-Mumtaz Mahal dies during childbirth. Her husband, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan I, then spends more than 20 years building her tomb, the Taj Mahal

1789-French Revolution: During the meeting of the Estates-General, the Third Estate proclaims itself the 'National Assembly'

1837-Charles Goodyear obtains his first rubber patent

1856-Republican Party opens its first national convention, party members meet in Philadelphia

1967-China becomes world's 4th thermonuclear power by exploding a hydrogen bomb

2019-Activist Joshua Wong calls on Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to resign after leaving prison amid street protests the day before of over 2 million people.