1906 – The first Grand Prix motor racing event is held. The 1906 Grand Prix de l’Automobile Club de France, commonly known as the 1906 French Grand Prix, was a motor race held on 26 and 27 June 1906, on closed public roads outside the city of Le Mans. It was won by Hungarian Ferenc Szisz.
1917– Born in Tupalla, now part of the municipality of Medvedja, Idriz Ajeti was an Albanian albanologist from Kosovo and one of the leading post-World War II scholars in the field of Albanian language studies. He was involved for a long period in the academic life of the University of Prishtina, and was a member of the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts, serving as its president for seven years. He initiated many consultations and language agreements where new paths were sought for the unification of the Albanian language and its spelling. He compiled textbooks for high school students and for students of the Albanian Language and Literature branch of the Faculty of Philosophy in Prishtina.
1922 – Albert I dies at the age of 73. Albert was Prince of Monaco from September 10, 1889 until his death. He dedicated most of his life to oceanography, exploration and science. In addition to his expeditions, Albert I made reforms at the political, economic and social levels, granting a constitution to the principality in 1911.
1944 – During World War II, San Marino, a neutral state, was mistakenly bombed by the RAF based on erroneous information, leading to 35 civilian casualties. The aerial bombardment was carried out under the belief that San Marino had been occupied by German forces and was being used to stockpile food and ammunition.
1945 – The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 Allied nations in San Francisco, California. The Charter articulated a commitment to uphold the rights of man and citizens, freedom of speech, expression, conscience, economic, political, and social freedoms. Today, this Charter is the main basis on which the UN was founded.
1959 – Swedish boxer Ingemar Johansson becomes world heavyweight boxing champion, defeating American Floyd Patterson by technical knockout after two minutes and three seconds in the third round at Yankee Stadium. Johansson also held the European heavyweight title twice, from 1956 to 1958 and from 1962 to 1963.
1963 – During the Cold War, U.S. President John F. Kennedy delivered his “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech, underscoring the United States’ support for the Democratic West Germany. This support came shortly after the Soviet-backed East Germany erected the Berlin Wall in 1961.
1968 – Paolo Maldini is born in Milan. Maldini is an Italian former footballer who played as a left back and centre back for A.C. Milan and the Italy national team, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders ever and one of the greatest players of all time. His nickname was “Il Capitano”.
1995 – Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, deposes his father Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, in a bloodless coup. Hamad was appointed heir apparent to Qatar in 1977 and held the position until 1995. From 1992, Hamad had some responsibility for the country’s governance, including oil and gas development.
